By sulaiman.sesay@awokonewspapersl.com
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – A 33-year-old businessman, Emmerson Bockarie, is at the center of a $60,000 gold scam that has drawn international attention, after allegedly swindling a U.S.-based woman under the guise of selling gold.
Bockarie was granted bail on Thursday, May 8, 2025, following his appearance before Magistrate Santigie Bangura at Pademba Road Court No. 1 in Freetown. He is charged with two counts—conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretenses—in connection with a fraudulent gold deal allegedly carried out in Monrovia, Liberia, between January and May 2024.
According to the prosecution, Bockarie, along with unidentified accomplices, tricked Isatu Jabbie, a Sierra Leonean living in the United States, into sending money by convincing her he had gold for sale.
Lead prosecution witness Mabinty Sesay, a businesswoman and sister to the complainant, testified that her sister first sent $200 after a video call with the accused, who claimed to be a legitimate gold dealer. That initial transfer was followed by another payment of $10,000. Eventually, the total sum lost reached $60,000—approximately NLe1.3 million.
“Isatu believed she was investing in a gold deal,” Sesay told the court, explaining that her sister trusted the accused based on repeated assurances and digital communication.
The police launched an investigation after the complainant raised the alarm when no gold was delivered. Deputy Superintendent of Police Sorie Conteh is leading the prosecution.
During cross-examination, defense counsel C. Kamara pressed the witness on the nature of the transactions and her sister’s expectations.
Bockarie, who has not yet entered a plea, was granted bail in the sum of NLe2 million. Magistrate Bangura ordered that the accused produce two sureties—each with properties in Freetown worth at least half the bail amount. The sureties must also present valid identification and evidence of bank accounts containing half of the bail sum.
The matter has been adjourned to May 21, 2025, for further hearings. SKS/9/5/2025
