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A 36-year-old businessman, Tijan Yarjah, has been remanded in custody following allegations of fraud involving a vehicle scam that reportedly defrauded a fellow dealer of $20,000.
The case was heard at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 before Magistrate John Manso Fornah. Yarjah faces charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretenses.
According to police reports, the alleged offenses occurred between March 1 and March 17, 2025, at Jones Street in the Western Area of Freetown. It is claimed that Yarjah conspired with unidentified individuals to deceive Reign Kamara, a car dealer.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sorie Conteh, presented evidence that Yarjah falsely claimed to have two vehicles for sale: a 2014 Toyota Wrangler and a 2014 Lexus. He allegedly obtained $20,000 from Kamara, who believed he was purchasing the vehicles.
In his testimony, Kamara stated that Yarjah approached him at his business premises, asserting that his brother in the United States was selling vehicles, including a Toyota Tundra and two Lexus models. Yarjah indicated that shipping the vehicles to Sierra Leone would cost $45,000 per container, leading to an agreement to ship two containers for a total of $90,000.
Kamara testified that he deposited $25,000, which Yarjah accepted, and they proceeded to a lawyer’s office to formalize the agreement. The agreement was later presented as Court Exhibit A. Yarjah assured Kamara that the vehicles would be delivered within six weeks and promised to provide tracking details once the containers were loaded.
However, after the six-week period passed, Yarjah allegedly began making excuses and failed to deliver the vehicles or refund Kamara’s money. Frustrated by the lack of communication, Kamara reported the incident to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Pademba Road. With police assistance, Yarjah was apprehended, and he subsequently made a statement to the authorities.
During the proceedings, Magistrate Fornah denied bail, citing the seriousness of the charges against Yarjah. He has been remanded to the male correctional facility in Freetown, with the case adjourned until July 17, 2025.
