Global Cybercrime Crackdown: Lusaka Raid Nabs 79 in Massive Operation
A major joint security operation in Lusaka has led to the apprehension of 79 individuals suspected of operating a cybercrime network. Authorities seized a large amount of equipment and cash, with investigations ongoing into the network's structure and potential links to human trafficking. Suspects from various nationalities remain in custody as authorities seek to identify the masterminds.
A significant joint security operation in New Kasama, Lusaka, resulted in the apprehension of seventy-nine individuals on August 23, 2026, targeting a suspected cybercrime network operating from Evana Estates. This multi-agency effort involved the Zambia Police Service, Drug Enforcement Commission, Department of Immigration, Zambia Cyber Security Agency, and other crucial security institutions.
The operation was initiated following a public tip-off concerning suspicious activities at the premises. A joint statement issued in Lusaka by Namati Nshinka, Chief Public Relations Officer for the Department of Immigration; Godfrey Chilabi, Police Spokesperson; and Allan Tamba, Public Relations Officer for the Drug Enforcement Commission, confirmed these details.
Among the seventy-nine individuals apprehended, a diverse range of nationalities were represented: thirty-five Ugandans, eleven Chinese, ten Zambians, eight Kenyans, six Ghanaians, five Liberians, two Burundians, one Chadian, and one Zimbabwean national.
During the raid, authorities seized a substantial cache of equipment pertinent to cybercrime activities. This included seventy-three desktop computers, six laptops, one hundred and forty mobile phones, five Starlink kits, two external hard drives, ten new SIM cards, and seventy-five passports. Additionally, security agencies recovered K21,490, US$10,450, and various other foreign currencies from the premises.
Preliminary investigations strongly suggest that the location served as a base for a newly established and highly organized network involved in cyber-related criminal activities. Investigators are currently working to determine the full nature, structure, scale, and extent of these suspected operations, including potential links to other individuals or networks both within and outside Zambia.
Furthermore, the investigation is exploring possible elements of human trafficking. Initial information indicates that some foreign nationals might have been recruited under deceptive pretenses, and their freedom of movement could have been restricted. Consequently, authorities have not ruled out human trafficking or exploitation at this stage. The Department of Immigration is verifying the status of all foreign nationals, having already identified six Ugandan nationals who were illegally staying in Zambia.
All seventy-nine suspects remain in custody as investigations continue. The joint security team is focused on identifying the masterminds behind this network and any other connected individuals. Further details regarding the case are expected to be released as investigations progress and when deemed appropriate.