Police In Lusaka,Zambia police have arrested 22-year-old Ernest Zibonile from Kabanana Compound, linked to a cross-border cybercrime syndicate targeting WhatsApp accounts.

The arrest was part of a joint operation by the Cybersecurity Task Force and the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA).

Zibonile, a member of the so-called “Gen Z delinquents,” admitted to helping hackers from Nigeria and Kenya. The scheme involved hijacking WhatsApp accounts and then using these accounts to extort money from the victims’ contacts.

Once the funds were collected, Zibonile would withdraw the money using Zambian mobile numbers, ensuring anonymity through pre-registered SIM cards and rapid transfers. He earned a 15 percent commission per transaction.

The case gained traction after 19-year-old Lusaka resident Joyce Mwanza reported losing access to her WhatsApp account. She explained that a man, using a foreign accent and posing as a local, invited her to an online meeting.

During the conversation, she was asked to read back a four-digit code, which resulted in the immediate hijacking of her account. Following this, her contacts were solicited for loans, amounting to approximately K22,000.

Authorities identified social engineering tactics as the primary method the hackers used to deceive victims, often involving fake calls and Zoom meeting invitations. By tracking digital clues, investigators located Zibonile’s base in Kabanana, leading to his arrest.

Law enforcement officials urge the public to be vigilant against online scams and verify requests before sending money to prevent falling victim to such schemes.