MBABANE – The net is tightening!
The pursuit against a suspected international online gambling and fraud syndicate widened yesterday after police uncovered three more operational sites in and around the capital, leading to the arrest of 51 additional foreign nationals.
This brings the total number of suspects arrested in connection with the sprawling illicit operation to 146 since March 10, as investigations intensify into what police believe is a sophisticated and decentralised criminal network operating across the country.
The latest arrests were made during a series of coordinated raids conducted by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), working in conjunction with the Ministry of Home Affairs yesterday. It was found that the newly-discovered sites bear striking similarities to the now-infamous operation uncovered at Castle Hotel, where dozens of foreign nationals were initially arrested earlier this month.
According to information gathered, one of the main sites was located at Hawane, where 34 foreign nationals were found operating from a guest house identified as Umushi Wenkosazana Guest House.
The suspects at this location are reported to be from Malaysia and Mainland China. When this publication visited the premises yesterday, heavily armed officers were seen directing the suspects onto a bus under tight security. They were later escorted to the Mbabane Police Station, where they are currently being detained pending their court appearance on Monday.
Another operation was uncovered at Woodlands, a residential area located a few kilometres from the Mbabane city centre. There, police arrested 15 foreign nationals believed to be from the Philippines and Mainland China.
A third site was identified at Madlenya Building in Mbabane, where two additional suspects were arrested while allegedly running a similar operation.
It was found that all three locations were being used as bases for illegal online gambling and fraud-related activities.
Investigators revealed that the set-up at the newly-discovered locations closely mirrors what was found at Castle Hotel, suggesting a well-coordinated and standardised operational model.
At the hotel, police previously uncovered rooms that had been converted into makeshift call centres and digital workstations, equipped with computers, mobile devices and high-speed internet connectivity.
One of the most alarming discoveries at the hotel was a room designed to resemble a legitimate police station. Investigators believe this fake set-up was used during video calls to intimidate victims by creating the impression that they were dealing with real law enforcement officials.
Investigations indicate that the suspects would contact victims through online platforms, posing as either law enforcement officers or successful investors, before coercing them into transferring money.
The same operational pattern is now suspected at the newly uncovered sites. Police believe the syndicate may be involved in a sophisticated form of online fraud commonly known as ‘pig-butchering’.
This type of scam involves building long-term relationships with victims through social media and messaging platforms, before convincing them to invest in fraudulent online gambling or trading platforms.
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substantial amount of cash recovered
MBABANE – During the operation, a substantial amount of cash was hidden in several rooms during raids at newly-identified illegal online gambling sites was recovered.
The discovery was made as officers from the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), working alongside the Ministry of Home Affairs, conducted coordinated operations at multiple premises in and around the capital. The initial group of foreigners was allegedly found in possession of a total of E708 000 in Mbabane.
Sources close to the investigation revealed that the money was found concealed in different rooms at the raided properties, which are believed to have been used as operational bases for the suspected illicit online gambling and fraud syndicate.
The sites include locations at Hawane, Woodlands and central Mbabane, all of which were uncovered as part of the expanding probe into the network.
While the exact amount of cash recovered has not yet been disclosed, investigators believe the money could be proceeds of crime linked to illegal online gambling activities and related fraud schemes.
“Officers did recover a significant amount of cash during the raids. However, the exact figures are still being verified and have not yet been made public,” said Deputy Police Information and Communication Officer Assistant Superintendent Nosipho Mnguni.
Information gathered is that police are currently analysing the circumstances under which the money was stored, including whether it was deliberately hidden to avoid detection.
According to sources, the discovery of large sums of cash on-site has strengthened suspicions that the operations were not only facilitating illegal gambling, but also handling substantial financial transactions linked to organised crime.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
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