CRIET Bénin: Tiktokeur Billy Relaxé for Internet Fraud

• Tiktokeur Billy, whose real name is Arsène Kplédo, was acquitted of internet fraud charges by the CRIET in Bénin on August 27, 2026.
• He had been detained for six months since March 18, 2026, facing accusations related to a message about a failed coup and an alleged monetized account scam.
• Kplédo denied the charges, explaining his message as a call for calm and attributing the account issue to a phone malfunction.
• The public prosecutor's office ultimately requested his acquittal due to insufficient evidence to prove cybercriminal acts.
• The court's decision, based on a lack of conclusive proof, also mandated the return of his vehicle and phones.

The CRIET's decision highlights the necessity for robust and undeniable digital evidence to secure convictions, particularly when defendants offer plausible alternative explanations for alleged online misconduct.

Arsène Kplédo, the content creator widely recognized by his online moniker Tiktokeur Billy, has been acquitted of all charges related to alleged internet fraud. The Cour de répression des infractions économiques et du terrorisme (CRIET) in Bénin delivered its verdict on Thursday, August 27, 2026, ruling in favor of Kplédo for lack of conclusive evidence. This decision means the Tiktokeur Billy is now free to move without restriction, concluding a significant legal battle that garnered public attention.

Kplédo's legal ordeal began on March 18, 2026, when he was taken into custody. He subsequently spent six months in detention while facing accusations of engaging in fraudulent activities online. The case, which centered on allegations of escroquerie via internet, highlights the growing challenges within droit pénal numérique Bénin as authorities grapple with digital offenses and the evidentiary standards required for conviction.

The prosecution presented two primary sets of allegations against Arsène Kplédo. One accusation stemmed from a message he published on December 7, 2025, the day of a failed coup attempt, in which he referred to a 'coup monté pour distraire.' Kplédo clarified his intent before the judge, explaining that his message was an attempt to urge his community to remain calm, asserting that his words had been misinterpreted.

The second set of charges involved a client who accused the tiktokeur of receiving payment for the creation of a monetized account, only to subsequently block the client. Kplédo vehemently denied these claims, stating that no payment was ever made and attributing the issue to a malfunction with his phone number. His legal counsel further characterized him not as a cybercriminal, but rather as a digital entrepreneur, emphasizing his legitimate online activities.

During a hearing on Thursday, July 16, 2026, the public prosecutor's office, or Ministère public, made a notable recommendation. Despite the initial charges, the prosecution requested that Arsène Kplédo be acquitted for lack of conclusive evidence, acknowledging that there was insufficient proof to substantiate the claims of cybercriminal acts. This recommendation underscored the difficulty in establishing definitive evidence in cases of CRIET Bénin escroquerie internet.

Ultimately, the court followed this recommendation, leading to the formal acquittal of Arsène Kplédo. The ruling, which saw the Tiktokeur Billy relaxé au bénéfice du doute cybercriminalité, also included a directive for the restitution of his vehicle and mobile phones, which had been seized during the investigation. This outcome emphasizes the high evidentiary bar required for convictions in Bénin's digital crime landscape.

The acquittal of Arsène Kplédo in Bénin for lack of conclusive evidence sets a significant precedent for the country's approach to cybercrime. It underscores that even in high-profile cases involving public figures, the burden of proof remains firmly with the prosecution. The CRIET's decision highlights the necessity for robust and undeniable digital evidence to secure convictions, particularly when defendants offer plausible alternative explanations for alleged online misconduct.

This outcome will likely influence future proceedings within droit pénal numérique Bénin, reinforcing the principle that mere suspicion or contested digital interactions are insufficient for a guilty verdict. For legal practitioners, the case of Arsène Kplédo acquitté Bénin demonstrates that a defense strategy focused on challenging the sufficiency and conclusiveness of evidence can be highly effective in cybercrime prosecutions.

This case highlights the high evidentiary bar required by the CRIET in Bénin for prosecuting cybercrime and online fraud, particularly when digital evidence is contested. Lawyers should note that a defense strategy focusing on the lack of conclusive proof can lead to acquittal even in high-profile cases involving public figures, emphasizing the importance of robust evidence collection and presentation by the prosecution.

Source: Original reporting via Libre Express