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A Revenue Assurance Officer and a Software Developer have been arrested by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) for unauthorised access to data, theft and laundering of over K4 million.
Public Relations Officer, Hussein Khan, said the Commission has jointly charged Brian Matanda, aged 34, and Michael Mulikita, aged 31, for unauthorised access to data, theft by servant and for laundering over K4 million.
He said on dates unknown but between January 1, 2021 and July 7, 2022, Brian Matanda jointly and whilst acting together with Michael Mulikita and other persons unknown fraudulently gained access to a known mobile network operator’s mobile money application and three merchant accounts and stole funds amounting to K4, 875,142.00.
“The funds were transferred to various mobile money accounts and later withdrawn. The Commission has since seized various devices used in this fraud,” Khan said.
In another development, Khan said the Commission arrested and jointly charged Tibour Mwakoi, aged 33, and Abel Nshimbami, aged 32, for obtaining money by false pretence and money laundering.
“Particulars of the offence are that Tibour Mwakoi and Abel Nshimbamias directors/shareholders in Lusaka Gold and Platinum Refinery Limited jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown on dates unknown but between July 1, 2021 and November 30, 2022 obtained money amounting to K4, 384, 678.38 through the company account by purporting that they would supply a foreign businessman with 45 kilogrammes of gold when in fact not,” Khan said.
In addition, he said the Commission seized K8,142, 215.04 purported to be for the supply of a further 123 kilogrammes of gold by Lusaka Gold.
Khan said the Commission had also arrested Saidi Chishimba, aged 54, for possession of property suspected of being proceeds of crime contrary to section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia and Money Laundering.
“Particulars of the matter are that on dates unknown but between October 1 and November 30, 2022 Saidi Chishimba received K1, 752, 791.60 suspected of being proceeds of crime in his bank account from Lusaka Gold and Platinum Refinery Limited which he later withdrew,” he said.
Khan said the suspects were currently on bond and will appear in court soon.
He said the Commission would continue to warn the general public not to fall prey to con men who promise to supply valuable commodities at giveaway prices.
“The public is hereby advised to take necessary steps to safeguard their hard earned money by consulting relevant authorities and report any suspicions bordering on criminal activity to law enforcement agencies,” Khan said.
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