By Sahid Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
In Sierra Leone, a notorious criminal cartel has emerged as a significant threat to ordinary citizens, defrauding them of thousands of dollars through fraudulent car sales. At the center of this scheme is Abdul Kamara, who claims on his LinkedIn profile to be a London-based car dealer with a network of marketers in Sierra Leone.
Despite numerous reports from victims to the Sierra Leone police, the cartel’s activities continue unabated, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement. Many victims have bravely shared their experiences, yet the response from authorities has been alarmingly insufficient.
This cartel preys on young Sierra Leoneans seeking economic opportunities, enticing them to market vehicles with the promise of a commission. Once potential buyers are identified, the cartel misappropriates the funds, leaving these young marketers facing accusations of conspiracy. Many find themselves ensnared in legal troubles for crimes they did not commit.
As a victim of this scheme, I was arrested and detained at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for simply acting as an intermediary between a buyer and the fraudsters, unaware of their illegal activities. After a month of wrongful detention, I connected with a lawyer from Makeni who was also unknowingly involved with the cartel. Together, we gathered evidence and set out to expose the fraudsters.
Our investigation took us to Guinea, where the cartel conducts much of its operations. Posing as potential car buyers, we devised a plan to confront them. With the invaluable support of two intelligence officers from the Sierra Leone Embassy in Guinea, Sergeant Nyuma and Sergeant Ngobeh, we successfully apprehended Francis Koroma, a key player in the fraud.
However, despite this breakthrough, the Guinean police failed to deliver justice. Koroma was released under questionable circumstances, and I continue to struggle with the stress of recovering my lost funds. This situation reflects a broader crisis: many Sierra Leoneans share similar tales of betrayal, and their pleas for justice remain unanswered.
In light of these ongoing challenges, I call upon the Sierra Leone Police, CID investigators, the media, and all security personnel to unite against this cartel. Decisive action is essential to protect citizens from these fraudsters and restore faith in our law enforcement agencies. The time to act is now; we must work together to ensure justice for the victims and bring an end to this criminal enterprise.
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