The Namibian Police Deputy Inspector General Elias Mutota, has commended the collaboration between the public and law enforcement agencies in combating crime.

Speaking to the media in Windhoek on Friday, Mutota attributed the success of a high- profile police operation last week to the public’s trust in law enforcement.

During a sting operation in the capital on Tuesday, the police arrested 20 foreign nationals who allegedly recruited Namibian youth to conduct cryptocurrency scams on foreign nationals.

The intelligence-led operation saw the police raid six residences in the upmarket suburbs of Auasblick, Klein Kuppe, and Klein Windhoek, as well as the offices of Raylon Investment at Shapumba Towers in the city centre.

Mutota said the suspects included 11 Chinese, five Zimbabweans, two Namibians, a Singaporean, and a Cuban national.

In addition, 88 Namibian youth have been arrested for being accomplices to the crime.

The police seized 163 computers, 350 mobile phones, six motor vehicles,12 firearms, ammunition, drugs, protected resources, and a cash amount of N$385 447, amongst others.

Mutota said the police received a tip-off about an alleged fraudulent scheme
concerning a pig butchering cryptocurrency investment scheme.

“Young Namibians, mostly students, were recruited by suspected foreign nationals and trained to create false profiles on Facebook and Instagram to lure unsuspecting United States citizens into the scheme,” said Mutota.

The students, who were accommodated at various residences across the city, worked at night from 17h00 to convince American
clients that the scammers were indeed in America. “The students’ movements were strictly controlled, and they were also
provided with company cellphones, which were collected when they went off duty -
twice a week,” Mutota explained.

He further said the workers were paid salaries of about N$3 000.

The suspects face criminal charges ranging from human trafficking to money laundering, fraud, and tax evasion. However, a total of 50 youth, aged between 20 and 25 years, have since agreed to collaborate with the police.

Mutota paid tribute to the police officers and stakeholders for their dedication to crime prevention.

“Moreover, to the public, because their trust and cooperation play a vital role in assisting
law enforcement officers in the execution of their mandate. May this success serve as a reminder of the importance of stakeholder, community, and police collaboration. Together, we can create a safer Namibia,” he said.  The suspects appeared in court on Friday and their case postponed until February
next year. -Nampa