Qnet Marketing Officer and Two Others Detained for Alleged Fraud and Deception

Jeremiah Theophilus, a Qnet Marketing Officer, and two other individuals, Momoh Samba Kamara and Mariatu Samba Kamara, found themselves before Magistrate Hadiru Daboh of Court No. 3, Ross Road, Freetown, on Wednesday, October 11, 2023. They faced charges related to alleged fraudulent activities and obtaining money under false pretenses.

The accused individuals were presented with a total of four charges, which included two counts of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretenses, and causing money to be paid to another with intent to defraud. These charges were made pursuant to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act 1916.

The first count of the indictment involved the first and second accused, Momoh Samba Kamara and Mariatu Samba Kamara, who were alleged to have conspired between December 1, 2022, and January 30, 2023, to defraud Kadiatu Sankoh. It was claimed that they falsely represented that they could facilitate the travel of Sankoh’s daughter, Isatu Conteh, to Canada, a representation that was known to be false.

The second count charged the first accused, Momoh Samba Kamara, with obtaining money from Kadiatu Sankoh between December 20, 2022, and January 2023, with the false pretense of facilitating Isatu Conteh’s travel to Canada.

Count three accused Mariatu Samba Kamara, in January 2023, of causing Kadiatu Sankoh to pay money to Momoh Samba Kamara, purportedly for facilitating Isatu Conteh’s travel to Canada, a representation known to be false.

The fourth count involved the third and fourth accused, Isatu Mansaray and Jeremiah Theophilus, who were alleged to have conspired in May at City Road, Wellington, Freetown, to defraud Ibrahim Kargbo. They falsely pretended that they would facilitate Kargbo’s travel to Canada, which was known to be false.

No bail was granted, and all the accused were remanded in custody until October 12, 2023, with Chief Inspector Macauley prosecuting the case.

During the court proceedings, the first prosecution witness, Kadiatu Sankoh, a petty trader from Maforkie Town, Port Loko, testified before Magistrate Hadiru Daboh of Court No. 3, Ross Road, Freetown. She recounted her interactions with the accused and the events leading up to the charges.

Sankoh explained that she had been approached by Mariatu Samba Kamara, the second accused, in December 2022 and January 2023. Mariatu informed her about a program that involved a payment of fifteen thousand Leones for her daughter’s opportunity to travel to Canada. Sankoh expressed her inability to pay immediately but subsequently raised the amount by selling her land and seeking micro-credit.

After securing the funds, she contacted the first accused, Momoh Samba Kamara, who directed her to meet at Grassfield, Wellington, Freetown. There, she met the third and fourth accused, Isatu Mansaray and Jeremiah Theophilus. She handed the money to Momoh Samba Kamara, who assured her that her daughter would soon be ready for travel.

As time passed, she was informed that her daughter’s departure date had been postponed, and she would now be traveling on February 15, 2023. However, when that date arrived, her daughter was untraceable, and her phone was switched off. Repeated attempts to contact her daughter were unsuccessful, leading to suspicions.

The second accused, Mariatu Samba Kamara, assured her that her daughter had safely arrived in Canada, even sending photos to confirm. However, further inquiries revealed that her daughter was allegedly in Canada working in a shop.

During the proceedings, the prosecutor requested an adjournment to produce the mentioned photos, which was granted by Magistrate Hadiru Daboh. Consequently, all accused individuals were remanded in custody until Thursday, October 12, 2023.