10 SUSPECTS NABBED IN CHOMA OVER K900,000 BANK THEFT
In a major breakthrough, the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has announced the arrest of 10 suspects involved in the theft of over K900,000 from a retired banker in Choma’s Mochipapa Compound. The suspects reportedly executed a sophisticated scheme by swapping the victim’s Zamtel phone number, granting them access to her two Indo Zambia Bank accounts.
The incident, which took place last month, left the 53-year-old victim devastated after discovering that her life savings had vanished. According to ZICTA Director General Colins Mbulo, the suspects orchestrated the fraudulent withdrawal after gaining unauthorized access to the victim’s accounts through the compromised phone number.
“This is a warning to all scammers out there—your days are numbered!” declared Mbulo during a courtesy call on Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana. He emphasized that ZICTA is tightening its grip on cybercriminals and urged mobile service providers to enhance security measures for consumer protection.
The arrest is part of a larger effort by ZICTA to combat increasing cases of mobile and financial fraud across the country. Mbulo assured the public that the authority, in collaboration with telecom companies and law enforcement agencies, is actively working to close loopholes that scammers exploit.
The arrests have been met with mixed reactions, with residents of Choma expressing both relief and concern. “It’s good they’ve caught these thieves, but how do we make sure this doesn’t happen again? We need better systems in place,” commented one resident.
Meanwhile, the suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue. ZICTA has urged citizens to stay vigilant and report suspicious activities. They also recommended that individuals update their account security settings and avoid sharing sensitive information.
KUMWESU JAN 16, 2025