MBABANE – Fresh investigations into the illegal online gambling syndicate have uncovered links between the criminal enterprise and senior politicians, police officers and immigration officials.
It is believed that these assisted the criminal enterprise in carrying out its operations without detection.
The revelations are contained in fresh court papers filed before the High Court after members of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS), working alongside INTERPOL forensic specialists and other international law enforcement agencies, successfully extracted information from more than 400 electronic devices seized during coordinated raids that dismantled the alleged syndicate earlier this year.
The electronic devices, which include mobile phones, laptops, desktop computers, tablets and other digital equipment, were seized from several premises, including Castle Hotel in Mbabane, where police allege the syndicate operated one of its principal command centres.
Investigators say the forensic examination has transformed what initially appeared to be an illegal online gambling investigation into an international organised crime probe spanning several continents.
According to Detective Constable Ntokozo Dlamini of the Organised Crime Unit, who forms part of the Multi-Agency Task Team investigating the matter, evidence extracted from the devices allegedly reveals an elaborate criminal organisation targeting victims in Brazil and India while simultaneously operating illegal online gambling platforms from Eswatini.
In his affidavit filed before court, Detective Constable Dlamini states that investigators observed what appears to be a link between the criminal enterprise and certain persons occupying positions of authority within the country.
He says evidence extracted from the electronic devices includes Telegram and WhatsApp conversations involving senior politicians, police officials, immigration officials and other individuals.
The latest revelations broaden the scope of investigations that began following dramatic police raids targeting foreign nationals suspected of operating illegal online gambling businesses from several locations in Mbabane and Ezulwini.
At the time, this publication reported extensively on the coordinated operation, which resulted in the arrest of hundreds of foreign nationals from several Asian countries after police uncovered what authorities described as sophisticated online gambling operations concealed behind hotels, guest houses and commercial buildings.
This publication also reported that investigators seized hundreds of computers, mobile phones, servers, cash-counting machines and other electronic equipment believed to have been used in the commission of various offences.
While the initial investigation centred largely on illegal gambling and immigration-related offences, the forensic examination of the electronic devices has since opened an entirely new dimension to the investigation.
According to Detective Constable Dlamini, INTERPOL officers joined Eswatini investigators after more than 400 electronic devices were lawfully seized during the raids.
The devices underwent forensic imaging and analysis in accordance with international investigative protocols before investigators began examining the enormous volume of information recovered from the exhibits.
Police say the examination yielded substantial evidential material forming part of the ongoing investigation and expected to feature prominently during future criminal proceedings.
The affidavit identifies alleged syndicate kingpin Tao Lyu as the central figure in what investigators describe as a sophisticated international criminal enterprise.
According to investigators, Tao Lyu, assisted by employees who were arrested during the raids, allegedly orchestrated fraud schemes targeting victims thousands of kilometres away, particularly in Brazil and India.
Investigators say one operation involved fraudsters telephoning unsuspecting Brazilian citizens, while pretending to be representatives of insurance companies.
Victims were allegedly informed that fraudulent transactions had been conducted in their names.
Once victims became alarmed, investigators say their personal details were passed to another section of the syndicate, whose members allegedly impersonated officers from the Brazilian Federal Police.
The victims were then allegedly informed they were under criminal investigation and instructed to sign what purported to be official confidentiality agreements preventing them from discussing the matter with anyone else.
Police say these documents were entirely fraudulent.
Instead, investigators allege, the agreements formed part of an elaborate psychological manipulation designed to isolate victims from family members while allowing the fraudsters to assume complete control over their actions.
According to the affidavit, victims were allegedly instructed to transfer large sums of money under the false pretence that their assets needed to be secured by the Brazilian Central Bank until investigations had been completed.
Investigators further allege that victims were compelled to provide their geographical location every three hours, regularly submit selfies and remain in constant communication with members of the syndicate masquerading as law enforcement officers.
Evidence recovered from the electronic devices allegedly includes WhatsApp conversations, Telegram messages, signed confidentiality agreements bearing victims’ names and numerous photographs submitted by victims while complying with the fraudsters’ instructions.
Police further allege that another section of the organisation specialised in online fraud conducted through digital gaming platforms.
Investigators say the suspects allegedly used Telegram as their principal communication platform while customer support agents relied on carefully prepared scripts intended to manipulate users, frustrate withdrawal requests and obtain sensitive financial information from unsuspecting victims.
According to investigators, the operation followed a carefully organised corporate structure, with specialised departments assigned different responsibilities ranging from customer communication to payment processing and supervision of betting platforms.
Each operational unit allegedly reported to designated team leaders before information filtered upwards through local managers to senior figures based outside Eswatini.
The affidavit further alleges that strict discipline was maintained within the organisation, with employees receiving warnings before dismissal for misconduct or disclosure of confidential information.
Police say electronic evidence recovered from the devices includes internal warning registers, dismissal records and conversations discussing disciplinary action against employees.
Investigators believe this demonstrates that the operation functioned as a
Forensic examination also exposed what appeared to be a sophisticated command structure that mirrored a multinational corporation, complete with executives, supervisors, team leaders and employees assigned specific responsibilities.
According to Detective Constable Dlamini, different groups of workers were allocated to different online betting platforms, while others were responsible for processing payments and communicating with victims.
The affidavit states that each operational unit had its own supervisor and that local managers in Eswatini allegedly reported to senior figures based outside the country, who exercised overall control over the enterprise.
“It was also observed that there appears to be a structure of command from top executives and field officers,” the detective states in his affidavit.
He further alleges that investigators found evidence showing that some employees were disciplined or dismissed for misconduct or for unlawfully disclosing confidential information relating to the syndicate’s activities.
The electronic evidence allegedly includes Telegram conversations between supervisors and employees, warning registers, dismissal records and internal communications outlining disciplinary measures taken against workers who violated the syndicate’s rules.
Police believe this demonstrates that the alleged operation functioned as a highly organised criminal enterprise rather than a loosely connected gambling operation.
