Malawi: Chinese National Arrested After Police Raid 'Mystery' Overnight Online Business Run From Remote Malawi Lodge

What the report says

Police in Karonga, northern Malawi, arrested Yekai Liao, a 36-year-old Chinese national, after raiding Nechos Lodge in Mwanganda Village on Aug. 29, according to Nyasa Times via AllAfrica. Officers said they had acted on a tip that foreign nationals were running an international online business from the lodge. The premises were later closed to the public.

During the operation, police found a room set up with 20 desktop computers, 20 keyboards and 20 Airtel MiFi devices arranged on tables. A police spokesperson said Liao was present during the raid and admitted he was operating the business, but could not give a clear account of what it involved.

Police also said Liao told investigators he employed 11 workers, including nine Malawians and two Nigerians, who worked overnight shifts from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. The equipment has been seized and sent for cybercrime examination at Malawi Police Service headquarters as investigators try to determine the nature of the activity and whether others were involved.

The case highlights growing police attention to online business operations that may be unlicensed or linked to wider cybercrime concerns. The report does not say what, if any, charges have been filed beyond the arrest, and police said inquiries are continuing.