Zambia Police arrest Senegalese national for fake gold scam

A 56-year-old Senegalese national has been arrested in Lusaka for allegedly obtaining US$105,000 from a South African businessman under the pretext of selling him two kilogrammes police suspect to be a fraudulent transaction.

Godfrey Chilabi, spokesperson for the Zambia Police Service, confirmed the development in an interview yesterday, stating that the suspect, identified as Yaya Barry, is currently in police custody facing allegations of obtaining money by false pretences.

According to Mr Chilabi, the matter was reported to Kabwata Police Station around 23:30 hours on February 14 by a South African national who had been residing at a local lodge in Kabulonga, Lusaka.

“The complainant reported that earlier that same day, around 17:00 hours, he was allegedly defrauded by individuals who purported to sell him two (2) kilogrammes of gold at a named lodge,” Mr Chilabi said.

He explained that the complainant had travelled to Zambia to engage in gold trading and was introduced to the suspect, who allegedly claimed he could connect him to genuine gold sellers.

“On the material date, the suspect allegedly brought two unidentified male persons, who were driving an unregistered Toyota Mark X, and presented what was purported to be gold,” Mr Chilabi said.

Police say that after the complainant paid US$105,000 for the mineral, he later conducted tests which revealed that the substance was not genuine gold.

Mr Chilabi confirmed that Yaya Barry has since been apprehended.“The suspect has been apprehended and is currently in police custody. Investigations in the matter are ongoing, and efforts are underway to apprehend the other suspects involved,” he said.

Police have urged members of the public and foreign investors engaging in mineral trading to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of sellers before conducting transactions.