10 arrested for financial scam

2008-07-03 21:16

Kinshasa - More than 10 people suspected of involvement in a huge financial scam in the DRC have been arrested since the end of June, police sources said on Thursday.

The arrests were made in the capital Kinshasa as well as southeastern Lubumbashi and eastern Goma.

The scam involved an association named Dutch International which offered investments promising 38% interest. It was closed down by the country's central bank on June 24.

Central bank sources described the business as "daylight robbery", adding that money laundering was also suspected. It believed the sums involved could amount to millions of dollars and that ordinary people such as small traders and teachers were among those duped.

Central bank chief Venant Lengwe said up to $10.2m had been paid to Dutch International, but only $1.84m was found when it was shut down.

State officials, businessmen and lawyers were among those arrested, but some foreigners, in particular Ugandans, would also be implicated, added police and central bank sources.

A safe belonging to Dutch International and containing $500 000 had been found at the home of one of the arrested lawyers, added police.

- AFP