Findlay Travel Agent Accused of Fraud in Alleged Scheme Involving Six Sierra Leonean Nationals
- Sarah Kallay
- Jun 21
- 2 min read
A 24-year-old travel agent from Findlay Travel Sierra Leone Limited, Isata Favor Benya, has been formally charged with fraud. The charges arise from allegations that the individual deceived six people by falsely promising air tickets to China, thereby acquiring over $8,700.
The accused appeared before Magistrate Augustine Brima Samura at Pademba Road Court No. 8 in Freetown, facing six charges. These include conspiracy to commit a crime, in violation of applicable law, and five counts of obtaining money by false pretenses, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
The details of the offense indicate that between January 1 and May 14, 2025, at #1 Alcock Street in the Western Area of Freetown, Benya, allegedly conspired with unnamed individuals to defraud several persons by falsely claiming to provide air tickets to China via Ethiopian Airlines.
Specifically, the charges assert that on the specified dates and location, the accused fraudulently obtained money from six Sierra Leonean nationals under false pretenses, as follows:
From Zainab Bangura, the accused allegedly obtained $1,300 (equivalent to Le 36,540) by falsely claiming to provide an air ticket to China through Ethiopian Airlines.
From Isha Conteh, the accused obtained $1,510 (Le 36,540) under similar false pretenses.
From Mary Lynch, the accused obtained $1,496 (Le 36,000) under the pretense of securing an air ticket.
From Isata Sesay, the accused obtained $1,585 (Le 38,200) with analogous false promises.
From Sheka Hamza Bangura, the accused obtained $1,400 (Le 33,600), again under the false claim of providing an air ticket.
Upon the reading of the charges, the accused did not enter a plea. Prosecutor Detective Police Constable Joseph Lamin Dumbuya requested a brief adjournment for the presentation of his first witness.
Magistrate Samura denied bail, citing the seriousness of the offenses, and ordered the accused to be remanded to the female correctional facility in Freetown. The case has been adjourned until June 24, 2025.
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