Laborer Charged with Defrauding Victims of Thousands in Visa Scam

On Tuesday, November 12th, 2024, Komba Kaminty, a laborer, was arraigned before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on two charges of Obtaining Money by False Pretence, contrary to section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.

According to the charge sheet, between February and April 2024, while in Brazil, Kaminty allegedly defrauded Isatu Bangura of $5,000 (NLe 120,000) and Agnes Wotto of $2,000 (NLe 48,000) by falsely promising to provide genuine visas and facilitate their movement from Sierra Leone to Brazil. Both victims were in contact with Kaminty through intermediaries in the U.S., Mamoud Jalloh and Christian Nicol.

Kaminty pleaded not guilty to the charges when read in court. The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh, requested a short adjournment due to the absence of a key witness and asked for a subpoena. The case was adjourned to December 2nd, 2024, for further proceedings.

C. Davies, representing the accused, applied for bail, citing Kaminty’s residency in Sierra Leone and assurance that he would not interfere with witnesses. Magistrate Bangura granted bail, as per Section 79(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act of 1916, but sent Kaminty to remand in the Male Correctional Facility in Freetown until the next hearing.