Seven Zambians living in the diaspora have been arrested and extradited to Zambia with the assistance of INTERPOL, while a further 21 suspects are currently undergoing extradition proceedings on charges related to cybercrime.
The arrests form part of a wider government crackdown on transnational cybercrime networks operating both within Zambia and beyond its borders.
Authorities say the operations are targeting increasingly sophisticated schemes, including romance scams, sextortion, online financial fraud, and mobile money theft, which have left many victims financially and emotionally devastated.
According to officials, the recent extraditions are linked to an intensified security operation carried out in collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.
The move underscores Zambia’s growing reliance on cross border partnerships to pursue suspects who attempt to evade justice by operating from foreign jurisdictions.
A key component of this effort has been Operation Red Card 2.0, a major multinational law enforcement initiative coordinated by INTERPOL.
Conducted between December 8, 2025 and January 30, 2026, the operation brought together 16 African countries, including Zambia, in a coordinated sweep against online fraud syndicates and mobile money scams.
The operation resulted in 651 arrests across the continent, dealing a significant blow to criminal networks that have exploited digital platforms to target unsuspecting victims.
Zambian authorities say the country has experienced a sharp increase in reported cybercrime cases in recent months. Data from the Zambia Cyber Security Agency shows that between the last quarter of 2025 and January 2026, incidents surged dramatically, with daily reports reaching as many as 150 cases.
The spike has raised concerns about the scale and organisation of cybercriminal operations, many of which are believed to involve coordinated groups working across multiple countries.
Officials note that the current crackdown builds on earlier efforts to dismantle cybercrime rings operating in the country.
In April 2024, law enforcement agencies carried out a major operation in Lusaka that led to the arrest of 77 suspects, including foreign nationals, over what authorities described as a sophisticated online fraud scheme.
Investigations revealed that some Zambian youths had been recruited as call centre agents to facilitate the scams, highlighting how criminal syndicates have exploited economic vulnerabilities to lure young people into illicit activities.
The government has since intensified public awareness campaigns and strengthened cybercrime legislation to deter potential offenders and protect citizens from digital exploitation.
Law enforcement agencies are also investing in digital forensic capabilities and intelligence sharing mechanisms to keep pace with rapidly evolving online criminal tactics.
Authorities have stressed that the extraditions send a strong message that distance will not shield offenders from accountability.
By working closely with international partners such as INTERPOL, Zambia is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring that those involved in cybercrime face prosecution, regardless of where they attempt to operate from.
As investigations continue and more suspects face extradition, officials say the crackdown is far from over. The government has reiterated its resolve to protect citizens and the integrity of the country’s financial systems from cyber threats, signalling a new era of robust enforcement against digital crime networks.
