Three Nigerians who had been standing trial for fraud were recently convicted and given a custodian sentence of seven months and fines by the acting Principal Magistrate, Sainabou Wadda-Ceesay of the Kanifing Magistrates' Court.
Moeketsi Debrshe, Alie Kargbo and Heington Benson Tambo pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud charges levelled against them.
The first accused, Moeketsi Debrshy, was fined D5, 000, in default to serve three months in prison.
The second accused, Alie Kargbo, received D35, 000, in default to serve three months in prison.
Heington Benson Tambo, the third accused also attracted D5, 000, in default to serve three months.
Count one states that "the accused persons in the month of September 2008, jointly conspired to illegally dispose 667 fake Euros, in 100 denominations in traveler's cheque, knowing the same to be false with intent to commit felony therein".
On Count two states the accused on 3 and 7 September 2008, sold 5, 200; 3, 300; 9, 000; 1000; 1000; 447; 1, 500; 77; and 108 Euros, respectively, in traveler's cheques to the Standard Chartered Bank (Serekunda Branch) Trust Bank (Kololi Branch) and Palm Beach Hotel, respectively, knowing the same to be false.
Count three states that Moeketsi Debeshe on 3 September 2008, at Standard Chartered Bank (Serekunda Branch) and Trust Bank (Kololi Branch), with intent to defraud presented 5, 200 and 3, 300 Euros in traveler's cheques, knowing that they were false and obtained D158, 269.80 and D98, 330, respectively, which in fact was false.
On Count four, Alie Kargbo on 7 September 2008, at the Palm Beach Hotel, with intent to defraud presented 1, 500 Euros in traveler's cheques, knowing that they were false and obtained D20, 000, when in fact such representation was false.
