Businessman Faces Charges in USD 20,000 Vehicle Scam

Tijan Yarjah, a 36-year-old businessman, was remanded in custody on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, following allegations of fraud involving a vehicle scam worth thousands of dollars.

The accused appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at the Pademba Road Court No. 2 in Freetown, facing charges of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretenses.

According to police reports, between March 1 and March 17, 2025, at Jones Street in the Western Area of Freetown, Yarjah allegedly conspired with unidentified individuals to defraud Reign Kamara.

It is further alleged that on the same date and location, Yarjah fraudulently obtained twenty thousand United States dollars (USD 20,000), equivalent to four hundred seventy-two thousand Leones (₦472,000), from Kamara by falsely claiming to have two vehicles for sale, specifically a 2014 Toyota Wrangler and a 2014 Lexus, knowing these claims to be false.

Upon the reading and explanation of the charges, the accused did not enter a plea.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh led the prosecution. The first witness, Reign Kamara, a car dealer, identified the accused as a fellow dealer.

Kamara testified that on the date in question, Yarjah approached him at his business premises, claiming his brother in the United States had vehicles for sale, specifically a Toyota Tundra and two Lexus 2014 models, and that he intended to sell them.

Yarjah explained that shipping the vehicles to Water Quay in Sierra Leone would cost USD 45,000 per container. The two agreed to ship two containers, with a total cost of USD 90,000.

Kamara recounted that Yarjah advised him to consult his lawyer to facilitate the transaction. Kamara deposited USD 25,000, which Yarjah accepted, and they proceeded to the lawyer’s office.

The lawyer formalized the agreement, which was subsequently produced as Court Exhibit A. Kamara also inquired about the delivery timeline; Yarjah assured him it would take six weeks and promised to provide tracking details once the containers were loaded. Kamara was instructed to pay the remaining balance after that period.

However, after the six weeks elapsed, Yarjah began making excuses and failed to deliver the vehicles or refund Kamara’s money. Frustrated, Kamara reported the matter to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Pademba Road. With police assistance, he was able to apprehend Yarjah, who subsequently made a statement to the police.

The witness was cross-examined by M.S. Saccoh.

Magistrate Fornah denied bail, citing the seriousness of the offense, and remanded Yarjah to the male correctional facility in Freetown. The case has been adjourned to July 17, 2025.