Three hundred and twenty-three Zambians have taken legal action in the Lusaka High Court, demanding a refund of K10 billion after allegedly being swindled in a suspected pyramid scheme operated under Auteri Jeweller Limited.
The plaintiffs have sued Airtel Mobile Commerce Zambia Limited, MTN Money Limited, and the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority, accusing them of negligence. They argue that the defendants’ platforms were used as conduits for the fraudulent scheme.
In their statement of claim, the victims are seeking compensation for financial losses, as well as damages for mental and emotional distress. They are also asking the court to grant any additional relief it may consider appropriate.
The plaintiffs further allege that ZICTA has not fulfilled its earlier commitment to refund 4 percent of the lost funds to at least 80 percent of the affected individuals.
According to court documents, the suspected fraudster began operations around May 2024, advertising investment opportunities online with packages of up to K200,000. Investors were promised quick returns within periods ranging from one to 49 days.
However, in June 2025, ZICTA reportedly shut down the company’s account, prompting victims to report the matter to police after failing to recover their funds.
The plaintiffs claim they were convinced to invest after the alleged fraudster built trust within communities by participating in social activities such as funerals, church programmes and other public engagements—sometimes in the presence of government officials.
The case, now before the Lusaka High Court, is expected to test the extent of responsibility held by financial service providers and regulators in preventing and responding to online fraud schemes.
