The Research Brigade of the Touba Gendarmerie has uncovered a particularly cunning fraudster. A. Diédhiou, who is actually Muslim, devised an elaborate scheme: he posed as a Christian seeking to convert to Islam in order to infiltrate the inner circle of a prominent religious leader (marabout) and rob his followers.

It all began on a Saturday in March 2026, around 4 PM. The individual arrived at the home of Marabout S. C. Fall under the false identity of Philippe Diatta, a Christian seeking conversion. Moved by this gesture, the marabout's entourage welcomed him with open arms, offered him gifts, and provided him with food and lodging for several days. The fake convert took advantage of this hospitality to build bonds of trust with the disciples.

On March 14, 2026, he made his move. While out with the disciples to deliver ndogous (meals for breaking the fast) to the Khalif, he borrowed the phone of S. Modou B. Ba, the marabout's right-hand man responsible for collecting community funds. He pretended he needed to call his older brother to convince him to convert as well. He then vanished with the device.

Upon returning home, Serigne Modou Bousso Ba wanted to retrieve his phone. But "Philippe Diatta" had disappeared and was no longer answering calls. In the meantime, the culprit had already drained his victim's Wave mobile money account, which contained over 600,000 CFA francs, according to Seneweb sources close to the prosecutor's office. He then accessed S. M. B. Ba's WhatsApp account, retrieved the saved contacts, and contacted the marabout's close associates to solicit money in his name.

After several days of fruitless searching, the victim contacted the Touba Research Brigade. The gendarmes managed to locate and arrest the suspect after a meticulous manhunt. A. Diédhiou has been presented to prosecutor Amary Faye, head of the Diourbel prosecutor's office, on charges including theft and fraud.

Mor Mbaye CISSE