Two individuals are in custody in Dakar, Senegal, following allegations of a visa scam targeting those seeking to travel to Europe’s Schengen Area. The arrests underscore a growing concern over fraudulent practices preying on hopeful travelers.
The Grand Dakar police precinct arrested the suspects on March 3, 2026, after a citizen filed a complaint on February 19, 2026. The complainant alleged the pair defrauded him out of 1,625,000 FCFA (approximately $2,700 USD) in 2025, promising to secure a Schengen visa for his daughter. Despite receiving payment, the suspects allegedly failed to deliver the visa or offer a refund.
Both individuals confessed to the allegations during questioning after being taken into custody, according to police. They reportedly offered to reimburse the victim in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but investigators continued the probe to determine the full scope of their operation.
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A search of one suspect’s residence in Grand Dakar revealed numerous documents believed to be falsified and intended for use in fraudulent visa applications.
The seized items included:
- six fake pay stubs;
- four employment contracts and four copies of national identity cards;
- two Schengen visa application forms along with two airline tickets;
- two participation contracts;
- a letter of intent and a commitment letter.
These findings suggest a systematic effort to create fraudulent travel documentation.
Both suspects remain in police custody as the investigation continues to identify any additional victims and fully uncover the details of the alleged scheme.
