The Special Division for Combating Cybercrime (DSC) has arrested the main perpetrator of a series of mobile phone thefts carried out in nightclubs in the capital, particularly in downtown Dakar.

The investigation was triggered following a complaint filed by Ms. SH, whose iPhone 14 Pro Max mobile phone was stolen on the night of October 11, 2024, at around 3 a.m., in a Dakar nightclub called Zanzibar.

According to the victim's statement, the suspect approached her on the dance floor, making faces and calculated movements to attract her attention and distract her. Taking advantage of this moment of distraction, he allegedly stole her phone from her purse and then discreetly left the establishment.

The victim only noticed the disappearance of her device after the fact. On October 11, 2024, during the day, she discovered that a fraudulent withdrawal of one hundred and seventy-four thousand CFA francs had been made from her Orange Money account, according to Seneweb sources.

An investigation that led to two arrests

The investigations carried out by the DSC detectives initially led to the arrest of a receiver of stolen goods identified by the initials BT. Meanwhile, the main suspect, designated by the initials MD, had managed to escape.

Continuing their investigation, the detectives finally managed to locate and apprehend the main perpetrator. He was brought before the High Court of Dakar on Wednesday.

A structured and organized network

The network's modus operandi, which was particularly elaborate, relied on a clear distribution of tasks: thieves operating in night establishments, receivers recovering the devices, technicians ensuring the unlocking of the phones, and intermediaries taking care of their export outside the borders of Senegal.