Eswatini law enforcement has launched a massive crackdown on the rising illegal operations involving “pig-butchering” scams and illegal online gambling, leading to the arrest of approximately 200 suspects since 10 March 2026.

The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) uncovered multiple operational bases, including the Castle Hotel, a guest house in Hawane, and residential areas in Woodlands and central Mbabane. These sites were equipped with high-speed internet, mobile devices, and computers converted into makeshift call centres. The investigation has revealed a sophisticated, decentralised criminal network involving foreign nationals, some of whom are on Interpol’s red list, operating from various locations across the country.

One of the most startling discoveries was a fake police station set up to be used during video calls to intimidate victims. The syndicate allegedly contacted victims online, posing as law enforcement or successful investors to coerce them into transferring funds. This tactic is a hallmark of the “pig-butchering” scam, an internationally recognized form of online fraud. During these raids, police recovered substantial amounts of hidden cash, including E708,000 found in Mbabane and a total of E902,639.80 linked to 22 foreign nationals arrested at Woodlands and Madlenya House.

Central to the investigation is XWin (Proprietary) Limited, a company operating out of Madlenya House. As detailed in the Eswatini Observer, the company’s Managing Director, Nhlanhla Tsabedze, maintains that XWin is a 100% Swati-owned Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) entity providing technical support for a Hong Kong client.

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“XWin is a 100% Swati-owned entity. Its directors are myself, Ntuthuko Fakudze, and Ncobile Mncina, all of whom are citizens of Eswatini,” he said, also mentioning that the company possesses a valid licence with the number MBA 2004/2025.

Authorities claim that XWin is facilitating unlicensed online gambling, as it is not authorized to offer gambling services in Eswatini. Its licence only permits the provision of goods and services, which could be exploited for money laundering and terrorism financing. Police have asked the court to compel XWin to disclose its Hong Kong partners, expressing concern that these individuals could be linked to criminal organisations or appear on Interpol red notices. Conversely, XWin has challenged the police in the High Court, claiming that the closure of their business was unlawful and that it has placed hundreds of local jobs at risk.

The scale of the influx of foreign nationals into Eswatini to set up these schemes has alarmed local authorities. Investigators are now scrutinising how these individuals entered the country and the role played by emaSwati who may have facilitated their illegal activities.

This cases highlights a growing trend of cross-border gambling operations in Africa, where local entities provide a front for offshore platforms operating outside domestic licensing systems. As the legal battle continues, the Eswatini authorities remain focused on tracing the origin and destination of the illicit funds and ensuring that the country is not used as a haven for global criminal syndicates.