The Rufisque DSCOS zonal brigade has just put an end to the actions of a notorious fraudster who had been exploiting the land sector for several years, causing damages of more than 28 million CFA francs, according to Seneweb sources close to the prosecution.

In an operation that marks a turning point in the fight against land fraud, the Directorate for Surveillance and Control of Land Use (DSCOS) of Rufisque has arrested A. Tine, an individual who terrorized the populations of Tivaouane Peulh with his fraudulent practices.

A tried and tested and destructive modus operandi

A. Tine had developed a particularly perfidious fraud scheme, exploiting the loopholes in the Senegalese land system and the vulnerability of poor populations. His modus operandi relied on the systematic use of false documents to illegally sell land belonging to honest citizens.

He specialized in identifying poor families who owned land in the Tivaouane Peulh area. He then proceeded to illegally occupy these plots before reselling them to bona fide buyers, using forged documents that gave an appearance of legality to his transactions.

This criminal strategy caused a double harm. On the one hand, it affected the legitimate owners who were dispossessed of their property. On the other, it affected the purchasers who found themselves owners of land to which they had no real rights.

A long and meticulous investigation

Tine's arrest is the culmination of a complex investigation initiated following numerous complaints filed by his victims. They accused him of illegal occupation and fraud involving considerable sums of money, demonstrating the scale of his fraudulent activities.

The commander of the Rufisque DSCOS zonal brigade had to demonstrate patience and determination in the face of the suspect's uncooperative attitude. Summoned several times by investigators, A. Tine systematically refused to answer their questions, adopting an avoidance strategy that only worsened his situation.

Faced with this resistance, the brigade commander decided to use the technical means at his disposal to locate the fraudster. This modern approach to investigation made it possible to find him at a site located in Tivaouane Peulh, belonging to a destitute family he was exploiting.

Full confessions in the face of evidence

Taken to the DSCOS offices, A. Tine was confronted with a body of damning evidence meticulously gathered by investigators. Faced with this relentless demonstration, the fraudster had no choice but to admit to all the charges against him.

Considerable harm

The extent of the damage caused by A. Tine far exceeds what initial investigations revealed. The total loss amounts to more than 28 million CFA francs. This considerable sum demonstrates the industrial scale of his fraudulent activities.

Heavy legal charges

A. Tine was brought before the Rufisque High Court on particularly serious charges: fraud, illegal sale of national land and illegal occupation of land belonging to others.

This arrest illustrates the effectiveness of the DSCOS in its mission to monitor and control land use. The determination of the brigade commander and his teams has helped put an end to years of impunity for this notorious swindler.