The magistrate court in Eswatini (Mbabane) has scheduled hearings for May 8, May 29, and June 12, 2026, regarding approximately 140 foreign nationals linked to a gambling syndicate, according to the Times of Eswatini.
Members of the syndicate allegedly gained the trust of victims and redirected them to fake iGaming websites with the intent of stealing funds.
The defendants face charges of organizing illegal online gambling and money laundering, with many also accused of being in the country unlawfully. The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) conducted raids at Madlenya House, Hawane, Woodlands, and Castle Hotel, where they discovered makeshift call centers equipped with computers that the syndicate allegedly used.
The suspects include citizens from China, Taiwan, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, many entered the country illegally, some allegedly possessed fake documents, while others are listed as missing persons in their home countries or are subject to Interpol red notices.