Irregular emigration: a false “recruiter” unmasked by his own victims in Zac Mbao

A man suspected of fraud and migrant smuggling was arrested on September 8, 2026 by the Zac Mbao district police station, according to a press release from the National Police published on September 10. Notable fact: it was his own victims who took him to the police station.

According to the statements collected, the respondent allegedly offered to six complainants, for remuneration, to facilitate their illegal emigration to Europe by sea from the Port of Dakar. To do this, he had organized their regrouping at a home in Zac Mbao, with a view to boarding initially planned for the night of September 8 to 9, 2026.

Each victim would have paid the sum of sixty thousand (60,000) CFA francs, presented as processing fees, with a balance of three hundred thousand (300,000) CFA francs to be paid once they arrived at their destination.

The deception revealed

But after a whole night of waiting, no vehicle or boat showed up. Faced with questions from candidates for emigration, the suspect allegedly cited delays, claiming to be trying in vain to contact the conveyor who was supposed to organize the crossing. Realizing that they had been deceived, the six men decided, around 8 a.m., to take him by force to the police station.

Heard by investigators, the man admitted to having received money from the complainants, while placing part of the responsibility on an alleged accomplice. The investigation revealed a much broader scope: he allegedly collected funds from more than twenty people, to whom he promised fictitious recruitment as crew members on board a ship serving several European countries.

Investigations are continuing, in particular to identify and arrest the alleged accomplice.

OBN