Banjul magistrate Muhammed Krubally found Alagie Dicko guilty of stealing $170,000 from American resident Ousainou Mahanera. The court ordered Dicko to pay back $180,000 or face two years behind bars. He must also pay a fine worth D100,000 or spend another year locked up.
From 2021 until 2024, Dicko pretended to be various religious leaders, including Imam Fatty and Imam Cham. He even faked being President Barrow, asking for cash to help Quranic schools, orphans and land purchases for religious schools. The victim sent money 66 separate times before discovering the scam. Court records showed receipts for all transactions.
Dicko admitted guilt after meeting his victim at an Arabic school in 2018. During their investigation, police found he carried multiple passports with different names. The magistrate rejected Dicko's request to repay D50,000 monthly. He begged for mercy, claiming he spent the money trying to travel to America.
The judge said Dicko caused serious economic harm to Mahanera, business partners Muhamadou Dukureh, and someone named Hamidou. Dicko claimed he planned to pay everything back after successfully reaching America. The court determined immediate repayment necessary because of the serious nature of the fraud.
From 2021 until 2024, Dicko pretended to be various religious leaders, including Imam Fatty and Imam Cham. He even faked being President Barrow, asking for cash to help Quranic schools, orphans and land purchases for religious schools. The victim sent money 66 separate times before discovering the scam. Court records showed receipts for all transactions.
Dicko admitted guilt after meeting his victim at an Arabic school in 2018. During their investigation, police found he carried multiple passports with different names. The magistrate rejected Dicko's request to repay D50,000 monthly. He begged for mercy, claiming he spent the money trying to travel to America.
The judge said Dicko caused serious economic harm to Mahanera, business partners Muhamadou Dukureh, and someone named Hamidou. Dicko claimed he planned to pay everything back after successfully reaching America. The court determined immediate repayment necessary because of the serious nature of the fraud.
