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Makalay Timbo, thirty-six-year-old businesswoman made her first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road Court No.2 in Freetown over alleged overseas travel scam. Timbo is facing a charge of obtaining money by false pretenses, contrary to Section 32 (1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, it was alleged that Timbo obtained a total sum of $7,800 USD from Marie Koroma between August 1st and August 31st, 2024, under the pretense of facilitating her travel from Sierra Leone to Belgium.
The prosecution claims that Timbo knowingly made false representations to Koroma with the intent to defraud her.
When the charge was read to the accused, she did not enter a plea.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh presented the case, with Marie Koroma testifying that she met Timbo after the latter promised to help secure a visa to France. Between August 1st and August 31st, 2024, Timbo allegedly requested a payment of $7,000 for the visa process.
Koroma reportedly made an initial payment of $5,000 to a person named Mr. Liah, located at Malama Thomas Street in Freetown. Koroma later received information that her visa was ready, at which point she and Mr Bashay gave Timbo an additional $5,000, which was recorded on video as the money was counted Timbo then requested an extra $1,500 for tickets, instructing Koroma to deliver the money to Mr. Liah.
However, after making the payment, Koroma never heard from Timbo again and subsequently reported the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters at Pademba Road, Freetown.
Given the severity of the allegations, Magistrate Santagie Bangura was denied bail and was remanded at the Female Correctional Center. The matter was adjourned until March 31, 2025, for further proceedings.
