The Drug Enforcement Commission DEC has arrested 8 people among them four foreign nationals for unlawful possession of devices meant to overcome security measures for protection, unauthorized access to data, possession of implements for forgery and four counts of theft involving over K 181, 000, contrary to the laws of Zambia.
The suspects are identified as Lili Yaxang, 27, a Chinese businessman, Xu Kai Song, 28, a chef of Herbei Province in China and Yang Fang Deng, 27, a baby seater of Red Lantern Hotel in Lusaka.
Others include a Ugandan computer engineer and mandarin translator identified as Cliff Bagonza, 32, Allan Mwenya Kabwe, 39, Ben Mwita, 43, Teddy Moonga Zulu, 39 all Zambian businessmen and Noabazake Banda, 44, proprietor of Cool Breeze Lodge in Lusaka.
The suspects were nabbed as they conducted various transactions involving Point of Sale machines to dubiously access funds using fake debit cards.
The Commission has since seized implements used by the gang including debit cards, card writers and readers, laptops as well as a Point of Sale machine.
The four foreign suspects are currently in Police custody while the four local suspects have been released on Police bond awaiting appearance in court.
The Commission has however urged members of the public and business houses to be alert of fraud using debit cards and Point of Sale machines which are on the rise.
Meanwhile, the Commission has arrested a first year civil engineering student at the Copperbelt University identified as Chikwanda Chisendele, 21, after a ploy was unearthed in which the suspect laced cakes with cannabis which weighed over 1 kilogram.
The suspect is in Police custody and is expected to appear in court soon.
The Commission has since intensified efforts to nab individuals behind the vice and wishes to caution members of the public and institutions of higher learning to be alert in view of the trend of cakes and scones laced with cannabis being trafficked among students.
