AYV News, August 14, 2025
Andrew Danny Stephanus Lahai appeared before Magistrate John Manso Fornah at Pademba Road Court No. 2 to answer to multiple fraud-related charges in connection with a $92,000 Visa Scam.
Lahai is charged under the Forgery Act of 1913 with Conspiracy to Defraud, Obtaining Money by False Pretences, Forgery, and Altering Forged Documents. Police alleged that between April 4 and April 20, 2025, at Satish Drive, Juba Hill, Freetown, Lahai conspired with unknown individuals to defraud businesswoman Isata Koroma of $92,000 (approximately Le2.2 million).
According to the Charge Sheet, Lahai allegedly received $21,000 (Le504,000) on April 4 and a further $71,000 (Le1,704,000) on April 20, promising to secure U.S. visas for Koroma’s relatives.
On May 30, he is accused of forging and presenting a fake U.S. visa with control number 20251847360005 in the name of Esther Bintu Samba, claiming it was issued by the U.S. Embassy.
The prosecution’s first witness, Alfred Inga Bangura—an IT specialist and brother of the complainant—testified that he saw Lahai receive the money on both occasions. He told the court that the funds were delivered by an intermediary, Simbo, and that he drafted a receipt at the time, which Lahai signed. A photo of the signed document was tendered as evidence.
Defense counsel A.R. Blah applied for bail, but the magistrate refused, citing the seriousness of the allegations. The matter was adjourned to Friday, August 15, 2025, to allow the prosecution to present further evidence.
If found guilty, Lahai faces a lengthy custodial sentence and significant fines under Sierra Leone’s fraud laws.
