A bizarre case of fraud has been uncovered in Pikine-Guédiawaye. Mame Diarra Sow, 32, a fishmonger, was caught red-handed within the courthouse itself, after attempting to extort money from a distressed mother by impersonating, in turn, a public prosecutor and an investigating gendarme from the Colobane Research Section.

The deception, described as "well-oiled" in the investigation report, began on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 in the corridors of the Research Section.

Mame Diarra Sow crossed paths with Ndeye Ndiaye, a merchant whose son had just been taken into custody for rape.

Seeing the mother's distress, the fake investigator seized the opportunity: "I can get your son out. I know the prosecutor and the judges of the court," she whispered to her.

The following day, at the Pikine courthouse, Mame Diarra staged a elaborate charade. She arranged to meet the victim at a registration office, making fictitious phone calls and entering and leaving the offices to simulate privileged access.

She demanded 150,000 CFA francs to cover "lawyer's fees and prosecutor's services." Lacking the funds, the victim gave her an advance of 50,000 CFA francs.

The machinations of the pseudo-investigator did not, however, escape the notice of the real Public Prosecutor of the Pikine-Guédiawaye Court, Saliou Dicko.

Upon being informed of the suspicious presence of a woman claiming to be representing her "daughter" (her business), the chief prosecutor immediately ordered her arrest. A police officer from the courthouse station apprehended Mame Diarra Sow on the spot, in front of the victim, Ndeye Ndiaye, who was "stunned."

"I just wanted to help."

In front of the investigators, Mame Diarra Sow quickly broke down. She admitted to the acts, impersonating a public official, and receiving the money. "I wanted to help a woman in distress, I admit I was wrong," she declared, her head bowed.

Nevertheless, the investigation highlighted the audacity of the accusation, the staging of which (simulating exchanges with magistrates) bordered on professionalism.

Placed in police custody, Mame Diarra Sow was brought before the Pikine-Guédiawaye prosecutor's office yesterday and then remanded in custody. She will be tried this Wednesday before the Magistrates' Court.