Post a comment
A 36-year-old businesswoman, Makalay Timbo, has been brought before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court in Freetown, accused of defrauding a victim of over $7,800 in an alleged visa scam.
Timbo faces a charge of obtaining money by false pretenses, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916. Prosecutors allege that between August 1 and August 31, 2024, she deceived Marie Koroma by falsely promising to facilitate her travel from Sierra Leone to Belgium.
According to the testimony of the complainant, Koroma was introduced to Timbo, who claimed she could secure a European visa. Trusting the accused, Koroma allegedly handed over an initial payment of $5,000 to a man named Mr. Liah at Malama Thomas Street in Freetown.
Shortly after, Timbo informed Koroma that her visa was ready and demanded an additional $2,000. The money was counted and recorded on video before it was handed over in cash. Timbo then requested an extra $1,500, purportedly for travel tickets, instructing Koroma to deliver the amount to the same contact.
However, after receiving the payments, Timbo allegedly disappeared and failed to provide the promised visa and tickets. Realizing she had been duped, Koroma reported the matter to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), leading to Timbo’s arrest.
Given the nature of the allegations, the magistrate denied bail, and the accused was remanded in custody. The case has been adjourned to March 31, 2025, for further proceedings.
