Jun.29, 2010, 12:54

The Anti-money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU) of the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC)has unearthed a scam involving over K2 billion of fake claims for supply of goods and services to Government departments.

The scam was discovered during the on-going verification exercise of outstanding bills for the Ministry of Defence and Home Affairs.

DEC Public Relations Manager John Nyawali said the verification exercise which is being conducted by the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit was prompted by huge bills of claims of supply of goods and services to Government.

In a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Nyawali noted that 81 claims out of a total of 681 which were scrutinised for the period covering first half of this year were discovered as fake.

He said the Prisons Service in Southern Province was highly affected accounting for about K1 billion while Zambia Army in Lusaka had over K800 million of fake claims.

Mr. Nyawali noted that other departments which had claims of supply of goods and services scrutinised include Provincial Administrations, Immigration, Zambia Air Force and Pass Ports Office.

He said the Commission has since recommended to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to block payments for fake claims and other claims which were not supported by necessary documents.

Mr. Nyawali warned unscrupulous suppliers and Government workers who were dubiously obtaining money from Government that they would be brought to justice soon.

He indicated that the verification exercise would be extended to Ministry of Education and Health to ensure that Government does not continue losing money through fake claims.