Thiès Escroquerie Foncière: 39 Parcelles Sold Illegally, 2 Arrested

• A land fraud scheme in Thiès involved the illegal sale of 39 residential plots, resulting in a 5,000,000 F CFA prejudice.
• H. Soumaré, using administrative access, and M. Fall, an IT specialist, allegedly created forged deliberation acts.
• These fraudulent documents were sold to various buyers, including the president of the Thiès Chamber of Trades and emigrants, granting no real land rights.
• The two alleged perpetrators were arrested by gendarmerie on October 7, 2026, and referred to the public prosecutor's office the following day.
• They face prosecution for land fraud related to the illicit property sales.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent risks associated with land transactions in certain jurisdictions, particularly when forged administrative documents are involved.

A significant land fraud case has emerged in Thiès, Senegal, involving the alleged illegal sale of 39 residential plots. The scheme, which reportedly originated in 2023, has led to a financial prejudice totaling 5,000,000 F CFA for the victims. Central to this "Thiès escroquerie foncière 39 parcelles" are two individuals, H. Soumaré and M. Fall, who have since been apprehended by authorities.

H. Soumaré, leveraging his administrative functions, reportedly accessed and consulted legitimate land deeds. He then allegedly collaborated with M. Fall, an IT specialist, to produce "faux actes fonciers Thiès" – specifically, forged deliberation acts. These fraudulent documents were subsequently distributed to unsuspecting buyers, including the president of the Thiès Chamber of Trades, members of his family, and several emigrants. Crucially, these fabricated documents conferred no actual legal rights to the land in question, rendering the transactions void.

The elaborate "H. Soumaré M. Fall fraude immobilière" came to light, leading to the arrest of the two alleged perpetrators. Gendarmerie forces took H. Soumaré and M. Fall into custody on October 7, 2026. The very next day, October 8, 2026, they were formally referred to the public prosecutor's office to face charges. The prosecution is centered on the "vente illégale terrains Sénégal" and the broader "escroquerie foncière" that victimized numerous individuals.

The modus operandi involved a sophisticated "fraude administrative foncière," where official processes were subverted to create seemingly authentic but ultimately worthless documents. The 39 residential plots were sold under false pretenses, highlighting the vulnerability of property buyers to such elaborate scams. The total "préjudice 5 millions FCFA Thiès" underscores the significant financial impact on those who believed they were acquiring legitimate land.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent risks associated with land transactions in certain jurisdictions, particularly when forged administrative documents are involved. The alleged misuse of an administrative position by H. Soumaré to facilitate the creation of "faux actes fonciers Thiès" points to potential systemic vulnerabilities that fraudsters can exploit. Buyers, especially those who may not be physically present to conduct thorough due diligence, such as emigrants, are particularly susceptible to such sophisticated "fraude immobilière" schemes.

The ongoing prosecution for "escroquerie foncière" related to the "vente illégale terrains Sénégal" of these 39 plots in Thiès emphasizes the legal consequences for those who engage in such illicit activities. It also highlights the critical need for rigorous verification of all property documents and seller credentials to prevent significant financial losses and protracted legal disputes for prospective landowners. The substantial "préjudice 5 millions FCFA Thiès" further illustrates the tangible harm inflicted by these fraudulent operations.

This case underscores the persistent risk of land fraud in Senegal, particularly involving forged administrative documents and the complicity of officials. Lawyers advising on property transactions in Thiès or similar jurisdictions must implement rigorous due diligence, including verifying the authenticity of all title documents and the authority of sellers, to protect clients from significant financial losses and legal disputes.

Source: Original reporting via Kawtef.