By Nelson Manneh
The Gambia Police Force (GPF) has launched an investigation into an alleged online scamming operation after a patrol team arrested 19 suspects in Brusubi, following a tip-off about suspicious activities in the area.
Police spokesperson, Cadet Assistant Superintendent Modou Musa Sisawo, said officers from the Serekunda Police Station stormed a building along the Brusubi Highway, where the suspects had allegedly occupied two floors fitted with laptops and other computer equipment.
“The suspects, mostly Nigerian nationals, were allegedly being trained by two Chinese nationals to promote fake online businesses,” PRO Sisawo revealed.
He added that personnel from the Cybercrime and Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) units visited the scene to document evidence. Statements have been recorded, and all suspects remain in custody while investigations continue.
Items Recovered
According to police, the raid led to the seizure of:
83 iPhones
27 Android phones
1 simple phone
5 laptops
6 power banks
2 smartwatches
1 tablet
Cash amounting to D29,800
36 Nigerian passports
52 exercise books
The suspects, aged between 19 and 35 years, are all Nigerian nationals residing in Sinchu Alagie and Coastal Road.
“The GPF reiterates its commitment to combating cybercrime and urges the public to report any suspicious online activities to the nearest police station,” Sisawo said.
Cybercrime in The Gambia
In recent years, cybercrime has emerged as a growing challenge in The Gambia, with police recording a steady rise in cases of online scams, identity theft, and fraudulent investment schemes. The GPF’s Cybercrime Unit has warned that scammers often target individuals through social media, fake e-commerce platforms, and online romance fraud, swindling victims out of significant sums of money.
