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Police are searching for a man who allegedly posed as a presidential communications aide to defraud two Sierra Leonean women living in the United States of $31,900 in a travel document scam.
According to a police complaint filed at the Ross Road Division, the suspect, Peter Lahai, falsely claimed to be a Communications Specialist attached to President Julius Maada Bio. Investigators say Lahai leveraged this fabricated identity—and purported access to service passports and official trips—to convince the victims he could bypass standard visa processes and expedite their travel documents.
The victims, represented by a Dr. Sesay, paid Lahai in two installments, according to the complaint. An initial payment of $19,800 was made on Nov. 13, 2024, followed by the remaining balance on Dec. 7. The payments were made under a signed agreement guaranteeing the documents would be completed by Feb. 24, 2025.
The alleged scheme unraveled after Lahai repeatedly shifted the travel dates. The victims subsequently conducted their own checks and discovered that a digital copy of a U.S. visa provided by Lahai was counterfeit.
According to the victims, Lahai has admitted to receiving the funds. However, he reportedly blamed the failure to produce the documents on unnamed associates he claimed were linked to the offices of Vice President Mohammed Juldeh Jalloh and Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh.
Lahai promised to refund the $31,900 by March 2026, but no money has been returned.
A police spokesperson confirmed that investigations are ongoing. Authorities have attempted to contact Lahai by mobile phone and have visited his residence twice without success.
Investigators are currently reviewing a cache of supporting evidence submitted by the victims’ representative, which includes call logs, WhatsApp messages, and audio recordings of the transactions.
