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Sixteen Chinese nationals involved in an internet fraud syndicate with Golden Top Support Services have been fined K20,000 each for engaging in paid employment without work permits.
The group appeared before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, readily pleading guilty to charges under Section 54 read with 56(1) of the Immigration and Deportation Act No. 18 of 2010.
The offences occurred between February 5 and March 30, 2024.
The accused were found working without valid permits, violating Zambian immigration laws.
On April 5, 2024, an operation following an intelligence tip-off by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) involved officers from the Immigration Department, Zambia Police, and the DEC.
They targeted a company along Kasangula Road in Kalundu, run by Asian nationals.
During the raid, officers found 21 Chinese nationals and one Cameroonian national.
The suspects were asked to produce documents proving their status in Zambia.
Although they had valid passports and had entered the country legally through Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA), it was discovered they were conducting business without the required permits.
They were taken to Immigration Offices for further interrogation.
Read More: Drug Enforcement Agency nabs 22 Chinese nationals, as 77 arrested for internet frauds
During interviews by Immigration Officer Shadreck Mwamba, the suspects failed to provide satisfactory explanations. Under warn and caution in Chinese, they voluntarily admitted to the charges.
Magistrate Anna Holland found all 16 accused guilty and convicted them accordingly.
In their mitigation, the accused claimed they were first offenders who had not had enough time to inquire about their work status due to being detained shortly after their arrival in Zambia.
One of the accused also cited health issues, including diabetes and hypertension.
Magistrate Holland took into account the time the accused had spent in custody, their admission of guilt, their status as first offenders, and the fact that the offence carries a fine under Section 56 of the Immigration and Deportation Act.
The court fined each of the 16 convicts K20,000, to be paid forthwith, with a default penalty of six months imprisonment.
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