By Staff Writer
The Drug Enforcement Commission through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit has arrested and jointly charged a Revenue Assurance Officer and a Software Developer for Unauthorized Access to Data, Theft by Servant and Money Laundering involving over K4 million.
Public Relations Officer Hussein Khan said the Commission has jointly charged Brian Matanda 34, and Michael Mulikita 31, for Unauthorized Access to Data contrary to section 49 of the Cybersecurity and Cybercrimes Act No. 2 of 2021 of the Laws of Zambia.
And also theft by Servant contrary to section 278 of the Penal Code Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia and Money Laundering contrary to section 7 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001 as amended by Act No. 44 of 2010 of the Laws of Zambia.
Mr Khan said Particulars of the offence are that 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.
He said the funds were transferred to various mobile money accounts and later withdrawn.
Mr Khan said the Commission has since seized various devices used in this fraud.
In another incident, the Commission has arrested and jointly charged Tibour Mwakoi 33 and Abel Nshimbami 32 for Obtaining Money by False Pretences contrary to section 309 of the Penal Code and Money Laundering.
He said particulars of the offence are that Tibour Mwakoi and Abel Nshimbami as 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.
In addition, the Commission has seized K8, 142, 215.04 purported to be for the supply of a further 123 kilogrammes of gold by Lusaka Gold.
The Commission has also arrested Saidi Chishimba 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.
The suspects are currently on bond and will appear in court soon.
“The Commission will 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,” he said.
