Fake CMC, birth certificates and residence certificates case: A 52-year-old computer technician and a delivery driver brought before the Dakar prosecutor's office

An investigation by the Grand-Yoff police station has dismantled a system for producing counterfeit consumer release certificates (CMC) and other administrative documents. The case began with a seemingly ordinary transaction involving a Jakarta brand motorcycle. It led Khouma's officers to uncover a far-reaching network for falsifying administrative and customs documents. The accused, CA Cissokho and K. Sana, were brought before the Dakar prosecutor's office on Monday, October 19, 2026, on charges of criminal conspiracy, forgery and use of forged administrative and customs documents, and complicity in these offenses.

According to the investigation, on October 14th, around 10:00 AM, Mr. Anne went to the Grand-Yoff police station to hand over a motorcycle to CAK Ndiaye as part of an amicable settlement intended to end a previous dispute concerning a two-wheeler. However, the technical inspection revealed a surprise to the police. The chassis number showed signs of tampering, while the documents meant to justify its registration contained indications of forgery.

When questioned about the origin of the motorcycle and its registration documents, Mr. Anne explained that he had purchased the vehicle from CA Cissokho. Mr. Cissokho had given him the registration documents 48 hours after the transaction. The buyer claims to have been unaware that they were fraudulent.

A customs certificate produced for 3,000 FCFA

Summoned by investigators, CA Cissokho, a 43-year-old delivery driver, admitted to selling the Jakarta brand motorcycle and giving the buyer a certificate of conformity (CMC). To explain the document's origin, he claimed to have lost the original title. Pressed by the buyer, who demanded the necessary documents to drive the motorcycle, he said he went to a multi-service establishment located in Derklé-Dieuppeul, Dakar.

According to his statement, he learned during a neighborhood conversation that such establishments could produce these documents. He then showed the manager a photograph of the motorcycle's chassis number. The certificate was subsequently issued to him for a fee of 3,000 FCFA.

Cissokho admitted to handing the document over to the buyer. However, he maintains that he acted in good faith, believing that internet café owners were authorized to issue certificates of release for consumption. He also claims that this was his first dealing with this service provider, whose identity he says he does not know, although he is aware of the location of their establishment.

These statements led the police to Derklé-Dieuppeul, guided by the motorcycle seller. There, they discovered K. Sana, a 52-year-old computer technician, repairing a printer in his office. When questioned about the creation of false administrative and customs documents, he spontaneously admitted to having produced the CMC (Customs and Excise Certificate) given to Cissokho.

He was arrested and taken into custody. A search was then carried out at his multi-service establishment.

Inside the premises, investigators discovered several faulty computers and central processing units, cables, and a working HP desktop computer. A visual examination of its contents revealed several falsified certificates of release for consumption and various stored administrative documents.

On a table, the police also found a batch of pre-printed CMCs (Certificates of Civil Status) and an extract of a Guinean birth certificate issued in the name of D. Diallo, showing signs of falsification through alteration. The computer, its peripherals, the batch of certificates, and the civil status document were seized and placed under seal. A USB drive was then used to save the files deemed fraudulent that had been extracted from the computer equipment.

How he makes fake CMCs

K. Sana, a 53-year-old computer technician, admitted to starting to produce counterfeit CMCs (Certificates of Customs) bearing the Customs Administration letterhead in 2024. His method, as described to investigators, is relatively simple. He receives vehicle chassis numbers and copies of applicants' identity documents via WhatsApp, then modifies the information on previously scanned templates of authentic certificates.

The suspect uses Paint software to replace identification numbers and the names of the holders. He then prints the altered documents, preserving the graphic elements, coats of arms, and official Customs markings. According to his demonstration to investigators, it only takes him a few minutes to create a false certificate.

The price varies between 2,000 and 4,000 FCFA, depending on the type of service and whether it involves scanning or reprographics. Sana acknowledges having had dealings with clients primarily from Dieuppeul, Grand-Yoff, and Keur Massar, but cannot determine the total number of fraudulent documents produced.

Analysis of his iPhone XR revealed a lucrative activity. Exchanges extracted from WhatsApp showed several contacts who provided him with vehicle identification numbers, identity documents, and document templates in exchange for payments made via Wave and Orange Money.

Among the identified contacts is a certain S. Dabo. Exchanges dating back to July 2025 reportedly indicate repeated orders for counterfeit CMC documents for motorcycles. Another contact, identified as Peulh Bi, sent a photograph of the chassis number of a Honda motorcycle in August 2025 for the purpose of obtaining a certificate.

Investigators also noted exchanges with Sante Yala between August 2024 and August 2026. According to the police, this individual indicated which details needed to be changed on certain certificates, highlighting them in green, to facilitate the sale of vehicles. He was paid 4,000 FCFA for this service.

But the investigations are not limited to customs documents relating to motorcycles.

Fake residence certificates and Cameroonian documents

Digital exploitation also revealed exchanges with a person identified as A. Cissé, with whom K. Sana had been in contact since August 2024.

When questioned by investigators, the computer technician admitted to having created, at the client's request, a false residency certificate in the name of ZEA Michel. He also admitted to creating or falsifying professional cards issued to the Cameroonian basketball and football federations, altering extracts from Cameroonian criminal records using passport photographs, and altering a registration certificate issued to the Institute for Training in Administration and Business (IFAA) in Senegal by changing the identity and date on the document. Sana, however, claims to be unaware of how his clients used these documents with public administrations.

Examination of his HP computer's hard drive also revealed a methodical classification of hundreds of files in directories titled "Jakarta", "Kaolack", "Thies", "chassis 2024", "DAKAR 2026", "KTM", "Keita 2025" and "work to do".

Investigators discovered numerous CMCs with altered chassis numbers, images of Senegalese national identity cards and several extracts of Guinean civil status documents showing traces of overwriting similar to those found on the document seized in the premises.

To verify the authenticity of the customs certificates, a request was sent to the Director General of Customs. The relevant departments were asked to examine the customs certificates.

Another request was sent to the Guinean embassy in Senegal to verify the authenticity of the birth certificate extract dated October 16, 2024 and issued in the name of D. Diallo, as well as other Guinean civil status documents found in computer files.

Doudou DIOP