Magistrate Sentences Fake Landlord to Three Months in Prison

In the case involving Mohamed Fullah, accused of falsely posing as a landlord and obtaining money under false pretenses, Magistrate Sahr Kekura has delivered the verdict. Fullah faced charges of obtaining money by false pretenses, a violation of section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.

According to the police charge sheet (C/S number 330/2023), Fullah allegedly defrauded complainant John Matthew Foster of four thousand new Leones by deceitfully claiming to have a single-room house for rent in Spur Loop, Wilberforce, in August 2023.

During the preliminary hearings, Fullah pleaded guilty and expressed a desire to repay the deceitfully obtained amount. The case file comprised detailed reports from both the complainant, witnesses, and the accused, along with the issued payment receipt after negotiations.

John Matthew Foster, the complainant, detailed his interaction with Fullah to the police, narrating his desperate housing situation. After careful consideration, Magistrate Sahr Kekura rendered the sentence, offering Fullah the choice of paying a one million Leone fine or serving a three-month prison term. This ruling serves as a stark reminder of the severe legal repercussions for those engaging in fraudulent activities and aims to deter such offenses within the community.