Chinese Cybercrime Gang Sentenced to Long Jail Terms in Zambia
By Caroline Ameh
Zambia’s Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has secured lengthy jail terms for 22 Chinese citizens and a Cameroonian man. The convictions, handed down in the Lusaka Magistrates Court, mark a significant victory in the fight against international cyber fraud.
The sentencing saw the gang’s only female member, Gu Tianjiao, break down in tears, crying out “papa, papa” as her seven-year sentence was announced. Among the group, the mastermind Li Xianlin received the harshest penalty, with an 11-year prison term. Additionally, fines ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 were imposed on each member.
Zambian authorities revealed that victims from countries as far-reaching as Singapore, Peru, and the United Arab Emirates had fallen prey to the online scams orchestrated by the syndicate. The charges against the perpetrators included computer-related misrepresentation, identity-related crimes, and illegally operating a network or service.
The arrests followed a thorough investigation into a sophisticated internet fraud syndicate linked to a Chinese-run company in Lusaka. The company, known as Golden Top Support Services, located in the upscale suburb of Roma, was at the center of the raid.
The operation uncovered alarming evidence of the syndicate’s activities, including the recruitment of young Zambians as call-center agents to engage in fraudulent activities such as internet fraud and online scams. Among the seized equipment were devices enabling callers to conceal their location, along with thousands of SIM cards and 11 SIM boxes capable of routing calls across genuine phone networks.
The scale of the operation became apparent as more than 13,000 SIM cards, both local and foreign, were confiscated, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the syndicate’s activities. Furthermore, authorities seized two firearms and approximately 78 rounds of ammunition, along with impounding two vehicles belonging to a Chinese national associated with the business.
