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Zambia Police Bust ATM Theft Ring
By YANDE SYAMPEYO
POLICE have cracked an elaborate scheme by a ring of criminals who have siphoned up to US$4 million or KR21.9 million (K21.9 billion) from accounts of unsuspecting savers at different automated teller machines (ATMs) countrywide.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Solomon Jere told the Daily Mail that some ‘foreign criminals’ are believed to be behind the ring in collusion with some Zambians they have trained in cyber crime.
He expressed concern that Zambians are working in league with some foreign elements “specialised” in ATM thefts to steal from fellow Zambians.
Dr Jere has also revealed that some seven dangerous armed criminals have escaped from custody in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and entered Zambia through the Sakania border.
Dr Jere said police have launched an “intensive” hunt for the escapees.
On the ATM thefts, Dr Jere said officers specialised in dealing with cyber crime will soon embark on awareness campaigns to educate members of the public on the vice.
He advised members of the public to secure their ATM pin numbers and reject offers of help from any individual as they withdraw money.
“Members of the public are advised to secure their pin numbers and not share them with anyone who might offer to help them to withdraw money. It is not advisable to expose pin numbers when making transactions,” Dr Jere said.
He said members of the public should be “extremely cautious” as the criminals are likely to take advantage of upcoming events, including the International Trade Fair and Lusaka Agriculture and Commercial show, to carry out their dubious activities.
“Therefore, those who intend to attend these events are advised to take extra care of their personal documents and property to avoid being victims of theft.
The police assure the nation that we are on the look-out for these criminals and once they are caught, they will face the wrath of the law,” he said.
On the seven suspected dangerous criminals who have escaped from custody in the DRC, Dr Jere said they are believed to be heading for the Copperbelt and Lusaka provinces.
The criminals escaped in the early hours of Wednesday, according to Dr Jere.
He said the suspects have no travel documents and could be dangerous, especially if confronted by armed people.
“We are appealing to members of the public with firearms to secure them or deposit them at the nearest police station for safe custody. Anyone who comes across suspicious-looking people should report them to the police,” Dr Jere said.
Officers on the Copperbelt, Central and Lusaka provinces have been directed to intensify road blocks and snap check points as they hunt down the criminals, he said.
“Members of the public are requested to co-operate with the Zambia Police,” Dr Jere said.
He did not state whether police have detained anybody, local or foreign, regarding the US$4 million ATM thefts. Neither did he name which banks have been affected.
Posted by
True Congolese
June 14, 2013 at 8:57 am
Dr Jere, ATM theft n cyber are not the same. Are u saying the amount u quoted was stolen via ATM’s? If so, Zambia are too backward to allow such day time robbery. Also, u have id the amount but what about who stole it? Just asking
isaac
June 14, 2013 at 11:21 am
What are you trying to find out from Dr Jere? Its like you’re more ignorant than Dr Jere whom you blame. Monies were stolen via ATM. Again you’re saying zambians are too backward to allow that robbery. Are you suggesting that backwardness of the zambians cannot allow money be stolen? True Congolese you’re a confused man.
dumbwi
June 15, 2013 at 12:02 am
congole ignorance is very cheap & free this is not only happening in Zambian the whole world is complaining about this, and it has been there for many years you just heard it for the first time there.Eg ask USA, UK & SA banks how much they compensate customers for this crime of ATM card cloning
Best Dota inlaw of the year
June 14, 2013 at 10:51 am
kwena pa ZED …Ndelolesya
Lisa
June 14, 2013 at 12:52 pm
escapees frm congo re here for marriages ladies be careful!lol! th C5 will get ride of them!
True Congolese
June 14, 2013 at 2:20 pm
@Isaac, u r most ****** than tumfweko. I am saying that Backwardness of ZAMBIANS, is d coz of this daylight robbery. And u are asking me on what I clearly stated. Gosh! Backwardness is truly infectious n u r contagous.
CNP-4U
June 14, 2013 at 4:19 pm
put a wall fence at DR congo border kaili..kekekeke
Twiumfwako
June 14, 2013 at 7:25 pm
Zambia Police must be shown Prison Break. They must obtain pictures of those Congolese and display them in public places and the media. Maybe one of them is just sitting next to me but how can I identify him?
Gaddafi
June 14, 2013 at 7:28 pm
Cyber Crime… ?
Anyway thanks for yo free wrong phrased NEWS,won’t blame u . Coz u’v the rights to common mistakes in akabuga.
Tumfweko ENGLISH 9
WWCN
June 14, 2013 at 9:12 pm
hey guys the fact is the criminals are here take it or leave it, am sure True Congolee will belive when he becomes one of the victims which will be so sad
WWCN
June 14, 2013 at 9:19 pm
hey guys the fact is the criminals are here take it or leave it, am sure True Congolese will believe when he becomes one of the victims which will be so sad by the way Dr Jere has Phd in his field and knows exactly what he is saying therefore trust him or mukalila baneee.
pat
June 15, 2013 at 7:25 am
cyber crime is every where i think gorv should make ict compasery to all learners in the country cos wil be lobbed by this westeners day light due to egnorance.
lolizo
June 15, 2013 at 11:37 am
@wwcn Dr Jere’s Phd is Congolese conflict not in cyber crime. Ask him
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