Businessmen Accused in $32,000 Visa Fraud Scheme; Witness Alleges Paying $18,000 for Fake Documents

A dramatic turn unfolded in the trial of two prominent businessmen, Musa Seaport Kamara, 27, and Serro Sesay, as a witness testified to paying a staggering $18,000 for what turned out to be fraudulent travel documents, exposing the alleged depth of a sophisticated travel scam.

The victim and key prosecution witness, David Mansaray, delivered compelling testimony against Kamara and Sesay before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2.

The accused face a litany of grave charges, including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretenses, and possession of a passport for unlawful purposes.

According to the police charge sheet, the defendants are accused of conspiring with unknown individuals to defraud Joseph Dawson Kamara of US$32,000 (equivalent to Le768,000).

This alleged conspiracy reportedly transpired in Tombo, Freetown, between November 1 and November 30, 2024.

The charges further assert that Kamara illicitly obtained US$18,000 from the same victim through deceptive claims, promising to secure Brazilian visas for several individuals, despite allegedly knowing these claims to be false.

Additionally, between January 1 and 31, 2025, in Ghana, Kamara is accused of possessing Sierra Leonean passports belonging to others for unlawful purposes, purportedly to facilitate human trafficking.

Both accused individuals did not enter a plea when the charges were formally read. The case has been adjourned to August 28, 2025, for further proceedings. State Prosecutor Thoronka K. is leading the prosecution, which has included testimonies from various witnesses.

In his emotional testimony, businessman David Mansaray recounted how he was initially approached by the first accused, Musa Seaport Kamara, who promised him lucrative visas to travel to the United States via Brazil.

Mansaray detailed paying a total of US$18,000, under the belief that he was securing legitimate travel documents for himself and his family.

He further elaborated on subsequent payments made for what later proved to be fake passports and visas, ultimately leading to their arrest at Kotoka Airport in Ghana.

The accused’s legal representative, Z.A. Kanu, sought bail for her clients, emphasizing their established residency in Sierra Leone and the availability of reliable sureties.

However, Magistrate Fornah staunchly denied the application, citing the severe nature of the charges, and ordered the defendants to be remanded at the male correctional center in Freetown.

The court is slated to revisit the matter on August 28 for the continuation of proceedings.