Senegal's Special Division for Combating Cybercrime (DSC) has made a significant impact by dismantling a sophisticated fraud network that had been operating since 2022. Following a wave of more than forty complaints, four individuals were arrested during an operation carried out on November 14 in Sédhiou and Dakar.

The total loss amounts to over 338 million FCFA stolen. Among the victims, one person stands out as particularly poignant: a man with a disability who lost the colossal sum of 101 million FCFA on his own.

💰 The Trap of Lucrative “Opportunities”

The network's modus operandi was well-established. The scammers contacted their targets via WhatsApp or email, posing as relatives or former acquaintances. The core of the scam consisted of offering fake, but highly lucrative, export opportunities . They promised to sell sought-after products, such as African medicinal plants and seeds (moringa, argan, etc.), to foreign laboratories.

Once trust was established, victims were encouraged to make repeated payments via Orange Money , Wave , or international transfers . This is how the money was laundered and disappeared.

⚖️ Arrests and Confessions

The DSC's technical investigations enabled them to trace the network back to its nerve center. During the arrests, several crucial pieces of evidence were seized: phones, transfer cards, proof of transactions, and identity cards belonging to third parties.

Two of the accused confessed to their central role in this fraud, which even had international ramifications. They were brought before the courts on charges of organized fraud , money laundering , and identity theft .

📞 Call for Vigilance

The investigation continues in order to identify accomplices who are on the run and all potential victims.

The National Police reiterates its commitment to citizen safety and urges the public to exercise extreme caution regarding investment offers that seem too good to be true. For any useful information, you can contact the free hotline at 800 00 17 00 .