Witness Details Canada Visa Fraud Scheme: Defendant Denied Bail

Witness Details Canada Visa Fraud Scheme: Defendant Denied Bail

During proceedings at the Freetown Principal Magistrate Court No. 1, witness Patricia M. Abu provided testimony regarding an alleged Canada visa fraud scheme. Her testimony offered critical insights into the financial transactions and logistical arrangements central to the case.

Ms. Abu testified that all travel-related payments were facilitated through attorney, who provided formal receipts for the transactions. She clarified that no funds were transferred directly to the first defendant, Thomas Bundu, during these initial stages.

The witness recounted being introduced to Mr. Bundu in October 2025 by the second defendant, Debora Gitta Kamara. The arrangement was purportedly managed by "Positive Travel and Tour." Ms. Abu noted that payments occurred at the lawyer’s office in the presence of the defendants and her own legal counsel. She further noted that she did not receive any formal application documentation from the first defendant nor engaged with him at his primary place of employment.

According to the testimony, a formal written agreement was established, which included a refund provision in the event of a failure to secure the visa. Although Ms. Abu traveled to Guinea for biometric verification, she later determined that the visa issued to her was fraudulent.

After failing to receive a promised offer letter from Guinea, Ms. Abu requested a refund as per the agreement. Despite a repayment schedule signed by the first defendant, no funds were returned, prompting her to file a formal report with the police.

Ms. Abu detailed her financial losses, specifying an initial payment of USD 1,500 and subsequent payments totaling USD 4,500, all conducted at the attorney's office. She identified Thomas Bundu as the signatory for the received funds, with the second and third defendants also in attendance.

Magistrate Jah denied a bail application for the first defendant and adjourned the case until April 23, 2026. 

The witness was subsequently re-examined by Inspector Mabel Tarawalie.