22 Chinese Citizens and a Cameroonian Man Receive Lengthy Jail Sentences for Cybercrimes in Zambia
During the sentencing in the Lusaka Magistrates Court, Gu Tianjiao, the only female convict, was visibly emotional, crying out “papa, papa” as she received a seven-year sentence. The mastermind, Li Xianlin, was among those sentenced to up to 11 years in prison.
In addition to the jail terms, fines ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 (£1,180 to £2,360) were imposed on the convicted individuals. Authorities in Zambia revealed that victims from countries such as Singapore, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates had fallen prey to the syndicate’s online scams.
Following a trial spanning several weeks, the perpetrators pleaded guilty to charges including computer-related misrepresentation, identity-related crimes, and operating a network or service illegally.
The convictions came after the arrest of 77 suspects in April, linked to what authorities described as a “sophisticated internet fraud syndicate” operating within a Chinese-run company in Lusaka. This crackdown followed a surge in internet fraud cases targeting individuals worldwide.
Zambian authorities also highlighted the involvement of young Zambians recruited as call-center agents in the fraudulent activities, including internet fraud and online scams.
The convicted individuals held various positions within the Chinese-run Golden Top Support Services, located in the upscale suburb of Roma, Lusaka. The company has yet to respond to the allegations.
Equipment seized during the raid included devices for disguising caller locations and thousands of SIM cards, with the discovery of 11 Sim boxes capable of routing calls across legitimate phone networks. More than 13,000 SIM cards, both local and foreign, were confiscated, demonstrating the widespread reach of the operation.
Additionally, authorities confiscated firearms, ammunition, and vehicles linked to a Chinese national associated with the business.