The Sanguéra Territorial Gendarmerie Brigade dealt a severe blow to local cybercrime. On June 8 and 10, 2026, law enforcement arrested three Togolese nationals suspected of orchestrating large-scale online fraud operations.

The identified suspects

The three suspected cybercriminals, all residents of Sanguéra, have been formally identified:

1. O. Bastou (24 years old, reseller)
2. A. Yao Mawuli (24 years old, staffer)
3. L. Essoklina (36 years old, cook)

The arrest scenario: an argument that turns ugly

It was a financial dispute that caused the suspects' downfall. Alerted by a suspicious altercation in the village of Attigancopé (canton of Sanguéra, prefecture of Agoè-Nyivé) concerning the sharing of fraudulent loot, a gendarmerie patrol immediately went to the scene.

1. Night of June 8, 2026: The first two suspects were caught in the act.
2. June 10, 2026 (4 p.m.): Arrest of the third accomplice following the initial investigations.

Wanted notice: The alleged mastermind of the network, known by the pseudonym "DODJI" , is currently on the run and actively being sought by the authorities.

Modus operandi: Fake agents and European mirage

Already known to police for similar offenses, these individuals acted as "script kiddies" within a structured network. Operating from rented apartments transformed into operational bases, they used two main techniques:

1. The Mobile Money scam: They posed as agents of mobile phone operators in order to steal access codes to their victims' electronic money accounts.
2. Visa scam (Catfishing): Using fake profiles on social networks impersonating foreign nationals, they promised to facilitate obtaining visas for Europe in exchange for alleged "application fees".

The summary of seizures

The searches carried out at the defendants' homes yielded damning evidence:

1. A laptop and several smartphones of various brands.
2. A large quantity of SIM cards (national and international operators).
3. A quantity of cannabis.

Justice and a call for vigilance

The three suspects were brought before the Public Prosecutor at the High Court of Lomé to answer for their actions.

The National Gendarmerie warmly commended the cooperation of the residents of Sanguéra, whose reports proved crucial. They reminded citizens of the importance of remaining extremely vigilant against unsolicited phone calls and messages on social media , and of immediately reporting any suspicious behavior. The investigation remains open to track down the remaining members of the network who are still at large.