Police have arrested 108 people, 88 of whom are students, in what is described as a major breakthrough in their fight against financial crime.

The suspects are likely to face charges of human trafficking, money laundering, fraud, and tax evasion.
 
NamPol's top command revealed this at a media briefing in Windhoek this afternoon.

The police, in collaboration with other stakeholders, staged simultaneous intelligence-led sting operations in the city that targeted six residences in Auasblick, Kleine Kuppe, Klein Windhoek, and a business building belonging to Raylon Investment cc.

The premises were used by foreigners, who recruited Namibian youth to scam foreign investors under the pretext of investment.  
Of those arrested, 11 are Chinese, five are Zimbabweans, two are Namibian, one is Singaporean, and one is Cuban.

In addition, 88 students were arrested as accomplices to the crimes.

Young Namibians were trained to create false profiles on Facebook and Instagram, through which they would lure unsuspecting US citizens into schemes. They would reportedly first build trust with the victims, introducing them to cryptocurrency investments.

When speaking to the clients, students used WhatsApp and Telegram platforms, reflecting US numbers.

Once a client shows willingness, they are encouraged to invest more, and once enough money is invested, the communication ends.