MBABANE – At least 40 Brazilians allegedly fell victim to an international syndicate that operated from Eswatini, according to fresh court papers filed before the High Court.
Investigators say forensic examinations conducted with the assistance of the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) uncovered evidence linking the syndicate to elaborate scams targeting victims in Brazil and India.
The latest revelations are contained in a confirmatory affidavit deposed to by Detective Constable Ntokozo Dlamini of the Royal Eswatini Police Service’s Organised Crime Unit.
The affidavit forms part of the State’s opposition to an application by some of the accused seeking the release of electronic devices seized during police raids.
According to Dlamini, police investigators, assisted by INTERPOL officers and forensic experts, analysed information extracted from more than 400 electronic devices.
He told the court that the forensic examination uncovered evidence suggesting that the syndicate specialised in telecommunications fraud targeting Brazilian citizens and online fraud targeting victims in India.
Dlamini states that investigators discovered conversations, documents, photographs and other digital evidence allegedly linking the accused to victims in the two countries. He says investigations have so far confirmed that about 40 Brazilian citizens fell victim to the syndicate.
According to the affidavit, INTERPOL has already identified the victims in Brazil, where investigations are also underway. “The matter is being investigated. For now, they have identified about 40 citizens of Brazil who were scammed by the syndicate,” Dlamini states.
Police allege that members of the syndicate contacted unsuspecting Brazilians by telephone while pretending to be insurance agents. The victims were allegedly told that fraudulent transactions had been committed using their identities before their details were passed to other members posing as Brazilian Federal Police officers.
Investigators allege that the victims were then intimidated into believing they were under criminal investigation. The court heard that the suspects allegedly forced victims to sign documents titled “Confidentiality Agreements”, falsely claiming they were issued by Brazilian authorities.
Once the victims signed the documents, they were allegedly instructed to transfer money into supposed secure accounts controlled by the Brazilian Central Bank while investigations were being conducted.
According to investigators, victims were assured that their money would later be refunded after verification. Police say documents recovered from the electronic devices contained forged logos and official branding belonging to Brazil’s Council for Financial Activities Control (COAF) and the Central Bank of Brazil.
Investigators maintain that the documents were designed to create the impression that they had been issued by legitimate government authorities.
The affidavit states that one victim was allegedly instructed to transfer R212 065.58 into an account provided by the fraudsters after being assured that the money would later be refunded. Police further allege that after making the transfers, victims were placed under strict surveillance by members of the syndicate.
According to investigators, they were required to send their geographical locations every three hours, upload selfies confirming their whereabouts and remain in constant communication through dedicated WhatsApp groups administered by the accused. The victims allegedly believed they were communicating with genuine Brazilian police officers.
Investigators say the electronic evidence includes WhatsApp and Telegram conversations, copies of the alleged confidentiality agreements and photographs sent by victims. The affidavit further alleges that the syndicate set up a room at Castle Hotel to resemble a Brazilian police office.
Police told the court that, during searches at the hotel, they recovered Brazilian police uniforms, police badges, communication radios, desk flags, bulletproof equipment and other items allegedly used during video calls with victims.
Investigators believe the suspects wore the uniforms and used the room to convince victims they were dealing with legitimate law enforcement officers during online meetings.
The State also alleges that the enterprise generated substantial amounts of money, which were later converted into cryptocurrency before allegedly being transferred through banks in Abu Dhabi and the United States before reaching Eswatini.
According to investigators, forensic examinations also revealed another operation involving online gaming platforms. Police allege that members of the syndicate used Telegram to recruit users before deploying customer support agents with standardised scripted responses designed to manipulate customers.
The affidavit states that the scripts were allegedly used to delay or deny withdrawal requests while convincing users to disclose sensitive personal and banking information.
Investigators further allege that the organisation operated under a strict command structure. Each section allegedly had supervisors reporting to senior managers in Eswatini, who in turn allegedly reported to individuals outside the country.
According to police, workers were assigned specific responsibilities, with some responsible for betting platforms, while others handled payments. Each section allegedly had supervisors reporting to senior managers in Eswatini, who in turn allegedly reported to individuals outside the country.
The affidavit also alleges that workers who breached internal rules received warnings before eventually being dismissed.
Police say electronic records recovered from the devices include warning registers, dismissal records and internal communications relating to staff discipline.
Investigators further allege that evidence recovered from the devices suggests the enterprise maintained communication with certain influential people in Eswatini.
According to the affidavit, the electronic evidence includes conversations allegedly involving senior politicians, police officers, immigration officials and other people. However, no names are disclosed in the affidavit and no findings have been made by the court regarding those allegations. The State argues that the seized devices remain critical exhibits as investigations continue.
According to investigators, forensic imaging is still underway and a comprehensive forensic report will be produced once the process is complete. Criminal proceedings against Tao Lyu, Li Peng and several other accused persons remain pending before the Mbabane Magistrates Court.
