Kinondoni TAKUKURU Arrests Chinese Nationals with Over TSh 2 Billion in Illegal Funds.



The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (TAKUKURU) in Kinondoni Region has successfully arrested Chinese nationals found in possession of more than TSh 2 billion in illegal funds, following a special operation involving various investigative agencies.

Speaking to journalists today in Dar es Salaam, Kinondoni Regional TAKUKURU Head, Christian Nyakizee, said the operation began in May 2025 and lasted for approximately seven months. It involved TAKUKURU working in collaboration with other investigative organs, the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), commercial banks, and the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

He said the investigation focused on crimes involving the use of stolen bank card information to obtain illegal funds.

According to Nyakizee, the suspects are nationals of different countries, including Chinese and Tanzanians, while the victims are citizens of various foreign countries outside Tanzania, including the United States, Canada, Colombia, Argentina, Japan, Uruguay, Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, and China.

He explained that money was withdrawn from victims’ personal accounts and appeared to have been used through card transactions to pay for various services in Tanzania, even though the victims had never visited the country nor received such services during the period in question.

Investigations revealed that the criminals used electronic payment methods, including POS machines, payment links, e-commerce transactions, and control numbers to pay for tourism services, health services, accommodation, air transport, as well as various government taxes.

Nyakizee said those involved in stealing card information originated from Cameroon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, and China, working in collaboration with Tanzanians to withdraw the money.

He added that the funds were deposited into accounts of business companies, mostly owned by young Tanzanians holding accounts in different banks, after which the money was withdrawn in cash and shared according to agreed percentages.

So far, more than 137 suspects have been arrested, searched, and questioned in the regions of Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar. Preliminary investigations have revealed that over TSh 18 billion was laundered using this method over a four-year period from 2022 to 2025.

He said three cases have already been filed at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court for tax evasion, money laundering, and economic sabotage under case numbers ECC 21633/2025, ECC 29134/2025, and ECC 29143/2025.

Among those already charged are seven Chinese nationals, one Bulgarian national, and one Tanzanian. So far, more than TSh 1 billion has been recovered and returned to the government, while TSh 3 billion has been frozen in suspects’ bank accounts pending completion of investigations.

Nyakizee named some of those arrested as Yao Licong and Wang Weisi, residents of Phoenix Apartments, Oysterbay, Kinondoni, Dar es Salaam. The two were arrested in possession of USD 707,075, equivalent to approximately TSh 1,732,333,750, as well as TSh 281,450,000 in cash.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MARKET CAPITALIZATION AT DAR ES SALAAM STOCK EXCHANGE RISES IN FEBRUARY, CEO COMMENDS INVESTORS

Image
The Chief Executive Officer of the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), Mr. Peter Nalitolela, has commended investors following a significant increase in the market capitalization recorded in February this year. Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam while presenting the market performance report for the month of February, Nalitolela said the total market capitalization reached TZS 34.6 trillion across 28 listed companies. Of this amount, domestic listed companies—22 in total—accounted for TZS 24.2 trillion. He noted that this marks a substantial increase compared to February last year, when total market capitalization stood at TZS 19 trillion, while domestic companies accounted for TZS 12.1 trillion. “Year-on-year, our market has recorded strong growth. We thank investors for their continued confidence,” he said. Nalitolela also highlighted the performance of pension funds from both the public and private sectors that have invested in the stock market, noting that their investment va...
Read more

Muslim Hassanali Returns to Politics, Seeks CCM Nomination for Kinondoni Parliamentary Seat.

Image
Muslim Hassanali, who previously contested for the Ilala constituency parliamentary seat in 2015 under the opposition party CHADEMA, has resurfaced in the political arena—this time collecting a nomination form to run for Member of Parliament in Kinondoni under the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Hassanali, who later officially joined CCM, now joins a growing list of party members who have declared their intentions and collected nomination forms to seek the party’s endorsement ahead of the upcoming general elections. The process of collecting and returning nomination forms within CCM officially began on June 28, 2025, and is expected to conclude by July 2, 2025. Hassanali’s move signals a potentially competitive race within the party as aspirants vie for various leadership positions.
Read more

*Government Launches 15274 Hotline to Ease Access to National ID Information

Image
Dar es Salaam: The Government has urged citizens to use their mobile phones by dialing *15274 to easily access information related to National Identification Cards (NIDA). Speaking today, December 29, 2025, the Minister for Home Affairs, George Simbachawene, said the service will enable citizens to check the status of their National ID cards, including whether the card has been produced or not, with feedback provided within five days. He explained that through this number, citizens will receive important information regarding their National IDs, adding that damaged ID cards are expected to be replaced starting February 2026. “By using this number, you will be able to get information on whether your ID card has been produced. I emphasize that damaged ID cards will be issued in February 2026,” said Minister Simbachawene. The Minister further noted that the Government has put in place a strategy to introduce the use of a single identification card for accessing various government services...
Read more