Taiwanese businessman nabbed for Money Laundering

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) through its Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit has arrested a Taiwanese businessman and a Zambian for illegal trading and unlawful possession of over 700 logs of the Mukula tree.

Allan Lo Shih-Chun, 40, a Taiwanese businessman of Plot No. 737 off Sheki Sheki Road Emmasdale in Lusaka has been arrested and jointly charged with Lowell Nkonde, 33, a Zambian businessman of Plot No. 333/1080 Kamwala South in Lusaka for illegal trading and unlawful possession of 789 logs of the Mukula tree contrary to the Environmental Management Act No. 12 of the laws of Zambia.

The two accused persons are said to have produces and offered a bribe in form of monies to DEC officers during the search at the scene of crime amounting to $3, 500 United States Dollars and K10, 000 which has since been seized by the Commission.

The matter will be handed over to the Anti-Corruption Commission for further action.

The Commission has seized two motor vehicles believed to be proceeds of crime from the two suspects.

And in a related development, the Commission has arrested an ex-Soldier and a Soldier of Lusaka for money laundering activities involving K93, 000.

Freeman Chama Mwela, 45, an ex-Soldier of House No.21 Tiyi Street Libala Stage 2, Lusaka has been arrested and jointly charged with Mark Kayuba, 52, a Soldier of Mikango Barracks in Lusaka for forgery, uttering of false documents, obtaining credit by false pretences and money laundering contrary to the laws of Zambia.

Particulars of the offence are that Freeman Chama between 1st January, 2012 and November, 2012 jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown did forge and utter to the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) a certificate of title for a property in Mansa, forged an NRC and Passport photo for a Mr. James Chalwe and letters of offer for the sale of property purporting that he was James Chalwe when in fact James Chalwe died a long time ago.

During the same period Freeman Chama gave false information to a Police Officer at Mufulira Central Police for the purpose of getting an introduction letter which he presented to a local bank in Mufulira for him to open a bank account purporting that he was James Chalwe when in fact not.

Freeman Chama jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown obtained a mortgage worth K93, 000 from Public Service Pensions Fund purporting that he was purchasing a house in Mansa when in fact not and he also used the bank account of Mark Kayuba to launder the same funds obtained through fraudulent means.

All suspects will appear in court soon.

This is contained in a statement released to Qfm News by DEC public relations officer Theresa Katongo.