Man Remanded For Overseas Travel Scam
By Fatmata Mohamed Bangura
Pius Mohamed Lumeh made another appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Braima Jah of Pademba Road Court No. 1 on two counts. Conspiracy to Defraud and Obtaining Money by False Pretence, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
According to the charge sheet, between August and September 2025, at Jui, Freetown, Lumeh with intent to defraud, allegedly conspired with other persons unknown and obtained the sum of Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred United States Dollars (US$8,800). He reportedly did so by falsely representing that he would facilitate an overseas travel programme for his son, Noah Gbetuwa, to Australia for employment opportunities, while knowing the representation to be false. When the charge was read, no plea was taken.
Police prosecutor sergeant 9939 Lahai M. led in court, alongside Detective Police Constable 17345 Alpha Janneh attached to TOCU, who recognized the accused. On 26th August 2025, while on duty, the complainant arrested and brought in Lumeh. The supervising officer Sergeant Tarawali M. subsequently assigned the matter to him for further investigation.
Janneh testified that on the 27th August 2025, a statement was obtained from the complainant reporting the offenses of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretences. The witness also presented receipts, an Australian visa, and a ticket, which were tendered in court as exhibits.
On 29th August 2025, Janneh said himself together with Sergeant 11742 Tarawali, obtained a voluntary caution statement from the defendant and at the end of the statement, it was read and explained to him in Krio, which he admitted to be true and correct by appending his righthand thumb print.
Janneh furthered that a request was made a for legal advice, which was also submitted, produced, and tendered in court.
He continued that on the 27th September 2025, a charge statement was obtained from the defendant, charging him with conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretences, witnessed by Detective Sergeant 11742 while Janneh signed as the recorder.
Considering the gravity of the offense, Magistrate Jah remanded Pius Mohamed Lumeh to the Pademba Road Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter to 3rd December 2025.
