An elaborate fraud orchestrated from within Labé prison has come to light after an inmate posed as a fortune teller and swindled more than 110 million Guinean francs (approximately $11,000) from a businessman in Conakry.
The cybercrime unit of Guinea’s Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DPJ) uncovered a network of accomplices both inside and outside the prison, exposing a disturbing case of manipulation, extortion, and corruption.
The saga began in December 2022 when AOK, an entrepreneur living in the Sonfonia neighborhood of Conakry, received a mysterious phone call from a man claiming to be a powerful soothsayer.
The caller detailed intimate knowledge of AOK’s family and personal life before warning him of impending danger unless he performed costly sacrifices.
“The sacrifices proposed were as follows: 10 oxen, 2 camels, 5 sheep to be sacrificed and a sum of 25 million francs to be used to purchase other objects to be considered for occult work,” according to the investigation report.
The so-called fortune teller, identified as IKK and later traced to Labé prison, warned AOK not to reveal the matter to anyone, threatening that doing so could drive him insane.
Terrified, AOK complied, sending money through five different mobile money accounts as instructed, totaling 110 million GNF. The suspect even prescribed a bizarre ritual involving sea water and cow’s milk to be performed after a strict fast.
Despite complying, AOK was later contacted again with threats targeting his children, demanding further sacrifices and payments. This time, he refused and confided in his wife, who alerted her brother—a judicial police officer—leading to a formal complaint.
The cybercrime unit’s digital investigations revealed that the calls originated from within Labé prison. A raid ensued, uncovering 22 mobile phones in inmate cells. Under interrogation, IKK admitted to orchestrating the scam and named accomplices: ELMO, who facilitated the sale of animals; ELGA, responsible for withdrawing money; and FORCE, a prison guard who enabled the scheme in exchange for bribes.
Two local breeders and a butcher were also implicated for laundering the proceeds.
All suspects have been handed over to the Labé prosecutor’s office, which has launched a judicial investigation into fraud, blackmail, extortion, and money laundering. The defendants now await trial at the Labé Criminal Court.
This case highlights the alarming reach of cybercrime even behind prison walls, underscoring the urgent need for tighter security and oversight to protect citizens from such sophisticated deceptions.
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