Chingola mobile money vendor arrested for faking K110,000 robbery to cover gambling losses

A Chingola-based mobile money vendor, identified as Obby Chishala, has been arrested by police after reportedly fabricating a robbery story to conceal his misuse of funds.

Copperbelt Police Commanding Officer, Pathias Siandenge, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Thursday, revealing that the 37-year-old vendor falsely claimed to have been robbed at gunpoint of K110,000 by unknown assailants.

“Investigations revealed that Chishala’s story was false, and he had actually used the money, meant for float, to gamble on Aviator and lost it all,” Siandenge said.

According to the police, Chishala received K97,000 from nine mobile money agents between November 1 and 4, 2025, but failed to forward the float to his clients.

Upon inspection of his phone, evidence showed that he had placed multiple bets on the online gambling game Aviator.

Despite claiming to hold an account with Stanbic Bank Zambia, investigations further established that he did not have any bank account.

“The police have recovered his phone, and the nine affected agents have confirmed giving him the money,” Siandenge added.

Police have since opened dockets for Theft by Agent and Giving False Information to Public Officers, and Chishala is expected to appear in court soon.

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