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Isata Favor Benya, a 24-year-old travel agent from Findlay Travel Sierra Leone Limited, has been formally charged with fraud after allegedly deceiving six individuals by falsely promising air tickets to China.
The total amount involved in the alleged scam exceeds $8,700.
Benya appeared before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8 on June 21, 2025, facing six charges, including conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of obtaining money by false pretences. Those charges are in violation of Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The alleged offences occurred between January 1 and May 14, 2025, at No. 1 Alcock Street in the Western Area of Freetown.
According to the charges, Benya conspired with unnamed individuals to defraud several Sierra Leonean nationals by falsely claiming to provide air tickets to China via Ethiopian Airlines.
Details of the allegations indicate that the accused obtained money from six victims under false pretences:
Zainab Bangura: $1,300 (Le 36,540)
Isha Conteh: $1,510 (Le 36,540)
Mary Lynch: $1,496 (Le 36,000)
Isata Sesay: $1,585 (Le 38,200)
Sheka Hamza Bangura: $1,400 (Le 33,600)
Upon the reading of the charges, Benya did not enter a plea. Prosecutor Detective Police Constable Joseph Lamin Dumbuya requested an adjournment to present his first witness, which Magistrate Samura granted.
Citing the seriousness of the offences, Magistrate Samura denied bail and ordered Benya to be remanded at the female correctional facility in Freetown. The case has been adjourned until June 24, 2025.
