Senegalese international Ismaïla Sarr has fallen victim to a large-scale real estate scam, with authorities confirming the arrest of the main suspect in a case involving $122,000 (approximately 74 million CFA francs).
The Criminal Investigation Division (DIC) in Dakar apprehended O. Ndiaye, a former sales agent for a prominent real estate agency and now the head of his own company, “Baobab Prestige Service.”
Ndiaye is accused of orchestrating the scheme that led Sarr, now with Premier League side Crystal Palace, to purchase properties based on fraudulent documentation.
The events date back to 2023, when Sarr entered what he believed to be a legitimate transaction involving two apartments in Diamniadio, each priced at 32 million CFA francs (around $52,600), along with an additional 10 million CFA francs ($16,400) invested in renovations.
The footballer, convinced by what appeared to be authentic ownership papers, had begun moving his personal belongings into one of the properties.
However, the truth began to surface when Sarr was unexpectedly forced out by individuals claiming rightful ownership. It was later discovered that the documents used in the sale had been forged, and the properties had never been legally transferred to the player.
Investigations revealed that the scheme had been meticulously planned, targeting both Sarr and his agent with falsified contracts and forged deeds of sale.
According to the Senegalese newspaper Libération, the suspect, Ndiaye, was not difficult to locate. He was already behind bars in Sébikotane prison, serving a three-month sentence for a separate land fraud case.
Investigators from the DIC brought him in for questioning, during which he partially confessed, though he attempted to deflect responsibility by citing alleged accomplices involved in the operation.
He was subsequently presented before the public prosecutor in Dakar last Friday and now faces multiple charges, including fraud, forgery, and the use of forged documents.
The financial loss suffered by Sarr is now estimated at 74 million CFA francs, significantly more than the initial 32 million CFA francs originally cited when the case emerged.
The arrest marks a significant step forward in a case that has drawn widespread attention in Senegal, particularly given the victim’s high profile. Sarr, known for his pace and technical prowess on the field, had no reason to suspect the legality of the purchase, having relied on what appeared to be standard legal documents and dealings with an established real estate agent.
The ongoing investigation may lead to further arrests, as authorities continue to probe whether others were complicit in the elaborate scheme. Meanwhile, legal proceedings are expected to begin shortly, with Sarr’s legal team reportedly pushing for full restitution and harsher penalties for those involved.
As Senegal continues to grapple with a growing number of real estate-related frauds, the case has reignited calls for stricter regulation and oversight of property transactions—particularly those involving public figures vulnerable to exploitation.
