TWO Kabwe residents were detained after police saw them trying to withdraw money through 43 ATM cards from the Zambia National Commercial Bank (ZANACO).
At the Sonnet ZANACO Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Kabwe, which is located across from the headquarters of the correctional services, the suspects Thomas Banda and Evans Tembo were attempting to withdraw cash. They believed they could carry off the same ruse as Pamela Gondwe.
Unfortunately for them, the security guard’s prompt action in alerting correctional officers resulted in their capture.
Police commissioner for the Central Province, David Chileshe, confirmed the event and stated it happened yesterday at or about 14:48.
“Kabwe Central Police today (Thursday) January 26, 2023 around 14:48 hours received a report from the Zambia Correctional services Headquarters that they had apprehended two suspects who were in possession of 43 Zanaco Bank ATM cards and a further three from other banks as they were trying to withdraw money at Sonnet Zanaco ATM opposite Correctional Services Headquarters in Kabwe town. The suspects were apprehended by the Correctional Officers upon being alerted by a security officer who was guarding the ATM,” he said.
Mr Chileshe said the suspects were identified as Thomas Banda and Evans Tembo.
“The 46 ATM cards and the suspects were handed over to the police by our alert and professional correctional officers. Upon being contacted Zanaco Bank management confirmed that the 43 ATM cards belong to Zanaco bank and that the two suspects were registered agents of the bank. The bank also established that the two agents had opened up fictitious Xapit accounts for all the 43 ATM cards with a view to scam the bank through commissions by faking deposits and withdrawals purporting to be for genuine customers when in fact not,” he said.
