A man posing as a specialized intermediary for obtaining European visas has just been unmasked in Touba. S. D., known as Bathie, 48 years old, a merchant residing in Guédé, was arrested after 43 complaints were filed against him at the city’s special police station. The total damage is estimated at 165,300,000 CFA francs.
His modus operandi was well-established. He approached his victims by promising them quick procedures for obtaining visas, particularly to Portugal, in exchange for large sums of money. Once the funds were collected, he would in some cases hand over fake documents purporting to be visas, before repeatedly postponing departure dates without ever keeping his promises. He also confiscated the passports of several of his victims, thus keeping them under his control.
Arrested and taken to the police station, S. D. admitted without hesitation to all the facts he is accused of. He was placed in custody for visa fraud, forgery and use of forgery, retention of administrative documents, and breach of trust.
