Mines officer in US$800,000 scam

Peter Kamara, an officer of the Mines Ministry, spent days in a police cell for conspiring with a Ghanaian Professor and others to defraud three foreign investors of a sum totaling US$800,000.

Peter, who doubles as senior officer in the Mines Ministry, conspired with unknown fraudsters to sell fake gold to three Swiss nationals.

The gold, we are told, was proved fake days after money totaling US$800,000 was remitted into accounts operated by the con artists.

Investigators at the Criminal Investigation Department say Peter was arrested minutes after it was revealed that he acted as Mines Inspector when payment was made for the fake gold by the foreign businessmen to the runaway fraudsters.

The arrangement for the payment of the gold started in Ghana, but was transferred to Sierra Leone where eventually the transaction took place.

Findings are that Peter who acted as mines officer, inspected the gold and confirmed to the buyers (foreign businessmen) that the goods are genuine and can be bought.

Head of the Anti Fraud syndicate, Detective Superintendent Samuel Kargbo said a Ghanaian called Professor Kumba, who stays in Ghana, recommended Peter to the foreign businessmen preceding their arrival in Sierra Leone.

Findings have it that the gold (turned sand) sold to the foreign investors the fraudsters was over 15 kilograms and was inspected by Peter prior to payment.

The gold, the police said, was taken to Rokel Commercial bank by the investors where it was safely kept.

When later it was proved that the gold was all rubbish, the foreign investors informed the police and Peter was arrested due to his role in the crime.

Avowals are that the foreign investors have returned to Ghana where the fraud had originally been planned and shall again come to Sierra Leone to pursue their matter.

Peter, who spent seven days in a police cell, was last week granted bail pending investigation.

It is a fact that government officers have been accused of overindulging into rip-off activities, unionizing with con artists to swindle monies of genuine foreign investors.

Full details next edition.

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