Saraya: Four former auxiliary gendarmes arrested for alleged impersonation

A suspected network of impersonators has just been dismantled in Saraya. Four former auxiliary gendarmes are suspected of having organized fake checks to extort money from targeted individuals in several localities of the department.

In Saraya, the Criminal Investigation Brigade has just dealt a serious blow to a group suspected of running an extortion racket based on impersonating officials. Four former auxiliary gendarmes are now in the hands of investigators, following several reports of falsified checks and sums of money extorted from individuals.

According to sources, the suspects allegedly used their former experience in the security forces to impersonate agents on assignment. They reportedly organized impromptu checkpoints on certain roads in the department, specifically targeting individuals suspected of transporting or possessing illicit goods.

Victims forced to pay

The alleged modus operandi consisted of threatening the individuals being checked with legal action, before offering them, in return, to pay a sum of money to avoid possible prosecution.

Among the incidents reported to investigators, a Malian national was allegedly forced to hand over 500,000 CFA francs. In another case, a bar owner was reportedly swindled out of 550,000 CFA francs.

The events reportedly began several months before continuing, particularly in the Bambarading area, until the increasing number of reports attracted the attention of the authorities.

An investigation that led to four arrests

Alerted, the Saraya Research Brigade launched an investigation to identify the suspected perpetrators. The investigation gradually led to the identification of four suspects.

The arrests took place one after another. The last suspected member of the group finally turned himself in to investigators, thus completing the operation set up by the gendarmes.

This case highlights a particularly worrying practice: the use of a former status as an auxiliary to the security forces to inspire confidence or put pressure on people who fear being prosecuted for alleged illegal activities.

With these arrests, the Saraya Research Brigade appears to have dismantled an alleged network that had been operating for several months in the department.

The four suspects will now have to answer to the courts regarding the charges against them. They remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.