Orange Money Agent Charged with Two Billion (old Leones) Fraud

Orange Money Agent Charged with Two Billion (old Leones) Fraud

Ibrahim Peter Kamara, an Orange Money Agent, is facing charges of fraud and larceny following an alleged theft totaling 2,752,129 Leones, according to a witness statement presented in court.

The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Dialla Wellington Esq., presented the testimony of Inspector Augustine Saio Mansaray from the Economic Financial Fraud Unit at CID headquarters. Inspector Mansaray testified that Mr. Kamara, acting as an Orange Money Agent, allegedly conspired with others to unlawfully withdraw funds from Access Bank Sierra Leone Limited.

The charges filed against the defendant include conspiracy to defraud, contrary to law, and larceny by a servant under section 17 (1) (a) of the Larceny Act 1916. The specific incident involved Mr. Kamara using his Orange Money wallet, which was linked to bank transactions, to steal the aforementioned sum from Bank Account number 0010160000326, managed via the Orange Money platform. Evidence submitted included withdrawal slips provided by the bank, which documented the transfer of funds from the bank to the defendant’s Orange Money wallet.

Inspector Mansaray confirmed that Mr. Kamara, as a registered Orange Money agent, had access to the wallet and was responsible for transferring the stolen funds. He clarified that the charge of larceny by a servant was applicable because, as an agent, the defendant was entrusted with the funds belonging to Orange Money but unlawfully withdrew them.

The defendant did not enter a plea as the matter is currently at the preliminary investigation stage. Defense counsel, D.J. Lavallie Esq., renewed the defendant’s previous bail application. However, Magistrate John Manso Fornah refused bail, citing the gravity of the alleged offence. The case has been adjourned until November 24, 2025.