Police special Investigations Unit has detained a suspect, Mam Tut Wadda of Banjulinding over alleged visa scam.
“The special Investigations Unit of the Gambia Police Force currently has in their custody one Mam Tut Wadda of Banjulinding. The alleged suspect has been mentioned in series of cases on pretext that she was going to procure, facilitate or secure an American Visa for prospective Gambian Artist who wishes to display their talent outside the Gambia to travel to America.
“The suspect allegedly operates in a unique and stylist way of deceit. She normally lures her victims into believing that she was in America with her parents, but decided to returned home to give back to her country by helping young people to travel to America; especially the Music Industry,” police said in a statement.
“Accordingly, the suspect normally collects her victims’ passport, two (2) passport size photos, and demand for a payment of certain amount ranging from D20, 000.00 to D200, 000.00 in order to start the Visa application process with the U.S Embassy in Banjul.
“At some instances, she would schedule purported interviews with the victims, and also issued fictitious congratulatory letters on their successful Visa application on the notion that same was issued by the U.S Embassy. The general public is hereby informed that victims of Mam Tut Wadda can visit the Special Investigations Unit at the Police Headquarters in Banjul to lodge their complaints,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, in a separate matter, the police said: “Participants mainly Police prosecutors drawn from all regions throughout the country are currently undergoing training at the Police Headquarters Conference Hall. The training which is funded by the UNDP is expected to last for three weeks targeting fifty participants who will be taken through various topics ranging from criminal procedure and other matters relating to prosecution of criminal cases in the subordinate courts.
“They are expected to garner skills in criminal prosecution among other areas such as identifying elements of crime, rules of drafting of criminal charges, presenting of cases, bail, trial approaches, right to fair trial, pre-trial briefings with witnesses, pleas, Law of evidence, addresses, practical exercise on cross examination, procedure to visit to Locus-in Quo, and trial within trial among others. Participants are expected to share knowledge and skills gained with colleagues as well as improve quality of service delivery.”
