She steals identities to obtain loans: A businesswoman remanded in custody for 37 million CFA francs

Debt ledgers, circulating identity documents, ballooning loans, and trust that ultimately proves costly. The Keur Massar Investigation Brigade has arrested three women in connection with a fraud and breach of trust case involving 45.5 million CFA francs. They are M. Diaw, Nd. N. Diallo, and Y. Thiam. They were apprehended following a complaint filed by businesswoman A. Diouf, who claims to have financed their activities and is now unable to recover her money.

According to the investigation, the initial funding was 200,000 FCFA, then 500,000, then 1 million, 2 million, and up to 3.5 million for some transactions. The principle was simple: A. Diouf provided the money, and the beneficiaries had to repay it within a specified timeframe, with a stated interest rate of 20%. As long as repayments were made, the amounts increased.

The front door…

In her complaint, A. Diouf explained to the police that she had no initial intention of becoming the creditor of several female shopkeepers. But it all started with her sister-in-law, MK Thioubou, who asked her for help with financial difficulties. Thioubou then introduced her to several neighbors who needed financing. A. Diouf hesitated, but eventually agreed. The first amounts were modest. She started with 200,000 FCFA. The repayments were regular. Trust developed, and the sums increased.

When questioned by investigators, the complainant focused particularly on the case of Ms. M. Diaw. She said she initially gave her more money because she honored her commitments. Later, she began introducing her to other people. And that's when the scheme escalated.

According to the complainant's account, Mr. Diaw provided her with identification documents and vouched for the individuals presented as new beneficiaries. A. Diouf claims she trusted Diaw and thus transferred money through her.

The investigation revealed, however, that some of the individuals whose identity documents were used were never informed of the loans. The modus operandi, therefore, according to the investigation, consisted of using third-party identities to obtain additional financing before using the funds for other purposes.

Even better, of the three women, Mr. Diaw is the one with the largest debt. Investigators believe she owes 37,780,000 FCFA.

In her testimony, she did not dispute the debt itself. She recounted starting with 200,000 FCFA, repayable within a month. As the payments were made on time, the loans increased: 500,000 FCFA, then 2 million, and eventually up to 3.5 million. Mr. Diaw explained that he had invested in tailoring and expected income from his clients, which ultimately never materialized.

Regarding the use of identity documents, she claims she wanted to form a women's group. They gave her their identity cards so she could use them as collateral to secure funding. The problem, she says, arose when the women refused to provide the required deposit when the funds were to be released. However, Ms. Diaw says she kept the money. "I didn't want to give it to them and have them not pay it back in the end," she explains, before adding that she used the money to work and continue repaying A. Diouf.

When asked if she acknowledged the amount claimed, Mr. Diaw admitted the debt. However, she stated that she was unable to repay the funds and asked for leniency from the court.

Nd. Diallo receives 805,000 FCFA

The second debt is much smaller. It was incurred by Ms. Nd. Ng. Diallo, who says she was introduced to A. Diouf by MK Thioubou. She also started with 200,000, then obtained 500,000, and finally 1 million FCFA. Initially, the repayments were on time. Then she decided to expand her business.

She then gave money to a man named Abdou, described as a merchant capable of importing goods from China. According to Nd. Ng. Diallo, Abdou's shop caught fire upon the arrival of the goods. The man sent her pictures of the fire and promised to reimburse her.

But another difficulty has arisen. Her child was involved in an accident. She used some of the money intended for reimbursement for medical expenses. She acknowledges, however, that she owes A. Diouf 805,000 FCFA and promises to pay as soon as possible.

Y. Thiam and the money given to the charlatan

Y. Thiam owes the plaintiff 7,640,000 FCFA. A businesswoman who has been active in women's groups for about twenty years, she too was put in contact with A. Diouf by MK Thioubou.

She claims that everything was normal until her younger sister fell ill. She consulted a marabout (a traditional healer/spiritual guide). The first payment was 15,000 FCFA. The man offered her mystical baths and rituals intended to rid her of bad luck, the evil eye, and various impurities. Afterward, the demands for money increased. The accused told investigators that she could no longer refuse. The money she received from A. Diouf was thus gradually given to the marabout.

At the end of their police custody, Ms. M. Diaw, Ms. Ng. Diallo, and Ms. Y. Thiam were brought before the Pikine-Guédiawaye prosecutor's office on September 23. Ms. Diaw was charged with fraud and identity theft and remanded in custody. Ms. Thiam and Ms. Ng. Diallo are being prosecuted for breach of trust. They were granted provisional release.

The case will be heard on September 28th in the court for flagrant offenses.