Sunday, February 13, 2011, 10:50

http://www.zambianwatchdog.com/2011/02/13/businessman-arrested-for-shwindling-farmers-issuing-bouncing-cheques/

The Drug Enforcement Commission has arrested proprietor of Co-operative Credit Scheme Limited for various money laundering activities amounting to over K2.5 billion.

Douglas Chomba, 49, was also arrested for issuing Cheques amounting to 478 thousand US Dollars on an insufficiently funded account, according to DEC spokesperson John Nyawali.

The DEC spokesperson reveaaled that  Chomba, in his capacity as proprietor of Co-operative Credit Sceme Limited based in Lusaka  swindled more than 30  farmers  in Mkushi district  by obtaining thousands of tonnes of maize grain on pretext that he was going to supply them with fertilizer.

He further obtained fertilizers on false pretences from a fertilizer company based in Lusaka and issued 12 cheques totaling to 478,480 thousand US dollars on his companies insufficiently funded account.

Chomba was arrested from Chazanga Township in Lusaka where he was hiding after being elusive for more than three months.

He is currently detained in Police custody after failing to meet bond conditions and will appear in court tomorrow.

Nyawali saidDEC is appealing to members of the public particularly farmers who could have been swindled by Chomba to come forward and lodge in their complaints.