Thirty-six-years-old Makalay Timbo who is a business woman has made her first appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura of Pademba Road court No.2 in Freetown.

She is tried on a count charge for obtaining money by false pretense contrary to section 32 (1) of the larceny Act 1916.

According to the particulars of offence on a date unknown between the 1st to 31st August 2024 in Freetown the accused person with intent to defraud obtained the total sum of seven thousand eight hundred united States dollars from Marie Koroma and by falsely pretending that she is going to facilitate her travelling from Sierra Leone to Belgium knowing same to be false.

When the charge was read and explained to the accused person, no plea taken.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh led in Marie Koroma a business woman told the court that she met the accused Timbo after she promised to help her secure a visa to France. Between August 1st and August 31st 2024, Timbo allegedly asked Koroma to pay $7,000 for the process, requiring an initial deposit of $5,000 to one Mr. Liah at Malama Thomas Street, Freetown. Koroma complied and later, upon being informed that her visa was ready, she and Mr. Bashay gave Timbo an additional $5,000 in cash.

The transaction was recorded on video as the money was counted.

Timbo later requested an extra $1,500 for tickets, directing Koroma to deliver it to Mr. Liah. However, after making the payment, Koroma never heard from Timbo again, leading her to report the matter to criminal investigation department headquarters Pademba Road Freetown.

Given the severity of the allegations, bail was denied, and the case was adjourned to March 31, 2025, for further proceedings.