Keur Massar: Behind the scenes of a prostitution ring, four women jailed

The Dakar Urban Security Unit has dismantled a prostitution ring in Unit 11 of the Keur Massar district. Four women were arrested: MD Gning, 36, A. Sèye, 22, A. Niane, 23, and S. Dieng, 26.

All of them were brought before the Pikine-Guédiawaye prosecutor's office on August 18th on charges of criminal conspiracy, pimping, soliciting, and failure to possess a health certificate. They were remanded in custody by the public prosecutor to be tried before the court for flagrant offenses.

On July 28, 2026, the Acting Central Commissioner of Dakar contacted the Urban Security Investigation Brigade following information regarding a prostitution ring operating out of an apartment in Keur Massar. Investigators went to the apartment to conduct an undercover operation, which confirmed the existence of organized prostitution. As a result, young women MD Gning, A. Sèye, and A. Niane were arrested.

A search of the apartment led police to discover three health record books, five packs of condoms (each containing 50), one pack of napkins, and, most importantly, 15 basic cell phones used to answer customer calls. Two other phones belonging to Maman Diéguène Gning and Awa Sèye were also seized.

She sits down to eat…

During her hearing, A. Sèye explained that she had started working as a prostitute a few weeks prior. She stated that she had been put in contact with MD Gning by an individual named Ousseynou, as she was looking for a job to support herself. Having no other option, she accepted the offer.

According to her account, MD Gning gave her a room in the apartment. She received clients there for paid sexual encounters. A. Sèye mentions rates of 10,000 FCFA for full intercourse and 5,000 FCFA for simple intercourse.

She then claims to hand over the proceeds to her boss. In return, she received 50,000 FCFA per week. The young woman admits to engaging in prostitution, while specifying that she is registered with the health and social services and regularly attends her medical checkups.

When questioned, MD Gning, 36, also admitted to engaging in prostitution. She stated that she had been doing so for about two years. However, she categorically denied being a pimp. According to her, the women found in the apartment were simply roommates. The apartment has four bedrooms, and each woman occupies one room. She claims that each of them works independently and contributes 50,000 FCFA towards the rent, which is set at 150,000 FCFA per month.

The lease, she clarifies, is in the name of S. Dieng, who previously occupied the premises. The young woman thus rejects the accusations of A. Sèye and A. Niane, who present her as their employer.

She also explains that she uses social media, including TikTok, Facebook and Instagram, to broadcast her own ads and attract her clientele.

However, investigators are focusing on several transfers made via Wave from MD Gning's account to a number linked to S. Dieng. When questioned about these financial transactions, she claims they are contributions paid into a tontine organized by Soukeyna Dieng.

This explanation did not convince investigators, especially since A. Niane said the opposite. During her interrogation, she admitted to engaging in prostitution. However, she claimed to have been working for S. Dieng for about eight months. According to her, Dieng was the true manager of the establishment. She was recruited through a man named Malick, described as a close associate of S. Dieng. Astou Niane stated that Malick regularly came to the apartment to supervise the women's activities and sometimes stayed overnight. She also recounted that MD Gning was responsible for answering clients' calls and directing them. According to her, the services were billed between 10,000 and 20,000 FCFA, while the women each received 50,000 FCFA per week.

TikTok, Facebook and Instagram as showcases

A. Niane also claims that the phone numbers used to attract customers were published on social media. Investigators will verify this lead. Cyber patrols are being conducted on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram. According to the report, these patrols have uncovered advertisements linked to the phone numbers used by those implicated. This is evidence that investigators consider to support the hypothesis of an organized operation.

A. Niane's accusations led the police to a beauty salon called "Keyna-Beauté," which was presented as belonging to Soukeyna Dieng. She was arrested.

A security search did not uncover any incriminating items. However, two phones were confiscated: a pink iPhone 17 Pro and a gray iPhone 13.

When questioned, S. Dieng admitted to having worked as a prostitute in the past. However, she claimed to have left that life and retrained as a beautician. She disputed A. Niane's accusations and denied organizing the activities of the women found in the apartment. She did, however, acknowledge having been the tenant of the Keur Massar apartment while she was still working as a prostitute. After ceasing this activity, she stated that she left the management of the apartment to MD Gning.

Another apartment in Rufisque

During her hearing, S. Dieng also mentioned the existence of an apartment in Rufisque. She stated that she relinquished the management of this property to a certain A. Diouf after she stopped working as a prostitute.

Investigators are interested in this, especially since S. Dieng stated during her arrest that prostitution activities may have been taking place in some of the apartments she had rented out. However, she maintains that she no longer has any involvement in these activities.

The exploitation of telephones

Analysis of S. Dieng's phone records allowed investigators to trace the money transfers. Several recurring transfers from numbers used by the women who accuse him were found to his number.

When questioned by investigators, S. Dieng maintained that the money she received was simply entrusted to her by the women. She claimed they came to collect their money when they needed it. However, the police noted that no reverse transfers appeared between her phone number and those of the women who identified her as their employer.

Given the discrepancies in the statements, a confrontation was arranged. MD Gning and S. Dieng maintained their accounts. A. Niane also stuck to her statements. A. Sèye, however, changed her story. She now claims to have been recruited by S. Dieng, while still maintaining that MD Gning supervised her activities. She even clarified that MD Gning did not engage in prostitution herself, but was only responsible for managing the other women.