The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has arrested 10 people who include one juvenile for being in possession of counterfeit notes amounting to K42,000 and US$20,800 just in the third quarter of 2020 (July to September 2020).
DEC has noted that there has been an increase in the number of money circulation schemes (some WhatsApp scams) and has received several complaints and reports from the members of the general public regarding the matter. The commission has since urged members of the public to continue reporting such cases as well as seek clarity before investing their monies.
DEC’s Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit has concluded investigations into 38 cases involving over K106 million and about US$ 2 million for various money laundering related offences in the third quarter of this year.
The Commission said the formal sector dominated with 17 cases involving about K70 million and about US$2 million followed by the public sector with 12 cases involving about K31 million.
According to statement made available to Zambian Business Times – ZBT, DEC Public Relations Officer Theresa Katongo said the other seven cases involved individuals in the informal sector involving a total of about K6 million
She said five convictions were recorded from the seven concluded cases in court with one acquittal and one discontinued case. Katongo said the commission conducted nine money laundering awareness activities country wide in which 182 persons were sensitized.
