Guédiawaye: A clever counterfeit money scam foiled by a vigilant shopkeeper

A 19-year-old man was arrested on Monday, November 9, 2026, around 5:00 PM, in Wakhinane Nimzatt, after attempting to give a counterfeit 5,000 franc note to a shopkeeper. He was taken to the local police station for attempted fraud, possession, and circulation of counterfeit banknotes.

The Guinean national AS Diallo, a shopkeeper residing in Gadaye, initiated the proceedings. Assisted by members of the emergency response police, he brought a Senegalese man, apprehended after the incident, to the police station.

According to the complainant, two men approached his shop. One of them, carrying a 10,000 franc note, asked for three tins of Eldorado brand milk, sold at 350 francs each, for a total of 1,050 francs. The shopkeeper gave him change, amounting to 8,950 francs.

It was at this point that the customer backed out of the purchase. He then tried to give the shopkeeper a counterfeit 5,000 franc note. AS Diallo checked the authenticity of the note, confirmed it was fake, and demanded that the man hand over the genuine bill. Unexpectedly, the man fled with his accomplice.

A foot chase ensued. After a few meters, locals apprehended one of the two fugitives, while his accomplice managed to escape.

The modus operandi described by the plaintiff

The events reported by AS Diallo depict a three-step scheme. The customer makes a purchase with a 10,000 franc note, then, after receiving his change, abandons the purchase. He then attempts to slip a counterfeit 5,000 franc note to the shopkeeper. The two men act in concert, one presenting himself with his accomplice. In this case, it was the shopkeeper's verification of the counterfeit note that thwarted the attempt.

When questioned, the individual gave his identity: B. Lo, aged 19 in 2026, claiming to be a mason and residing in Wakhinane Nimzatt.

When questioned by investigators, B. Lo admitted to possessing and circulating counterfeit banknotes. He explained that the banknote had been given to him by his accomplice, named N.

B. Lo was taken into custody at the Wakhinane Nimzatt police station. Prosecutor Saliou Dicko was informed of the facts.