The Thiès court of summary jurisdiction heard a fraud case on Wednesday involving A. Sène, a security guard by profession. He is accused of having swindled several million CFA francs from would-be emigrants.

According to the plaintiffs, the defendant promised them a trip to Europe by putting them in contact with a certain Abdou Aziz Diouf, who was supposed to obtain visas for them.

Convinced, the victims paid large sums of money. Mr. Fal claims to have handed over 3,655,000 CFA francs, Mr. Bèye 2,582,000 CFA francs, A. Diagne 2,500,000 CFA francs and S. Ndiaye 2 million CFA francs.

The plaintiffs explained that for each payment, A. Sène provided them with signed receipts in the presence of a police officer. This procedure, they argued, reinforced the credibility of the operation.

In court, the defendant denied the fraud charges. He maintained that he had only acted as an intermediary between the victims and Abdou Aziz Diouf, to whom he had allegedly handed over all the money collected. He stated that he had acted in good faith, claiming to know people who had indeed traveled thanks to Diouf.

The lawyer for the civil parties, for his part, considered that the facts were clearly established and requested the conviction of the defendant as well as the full reimbursement of the sums paid.

The public prosecutor concurred, considering that the evidence in the file confirmed the offence of fraud and requested the application of the law.

The defense argued that its client was himself a victim of Abdou Aziz Diouf, presented as the true instigator of the affair. However, it asserted that A. Sène pledged to reimburse the plaintiffs, emphasizing that this would be difficult if he were imprisoned.

After deliberation, the court found A. Sène guilty of fraud. He was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, suspended, and ordered to reimburse all sums owed to the plaintiffs.