Dakar, Senegal – A politically exposed person (PPE), identified as Mr. Alpha, is implicated in a large-scale money laundering scheme involving tens of billions of FCFA, according to a 2024 report by the National Cell Treatment for Financial Information (CENTIF). authorities have seized over 10 billion FCFA from accounts linked to Mr. Alpha and his associates.
The CENTIF report details suspicious financial operations between 2017 and 2024, revealing cumulative transactions – including transfers, checks, cash deposits, and anonymous time deposits – lacking economic justification. Investigations revealed that despite receiving these massive funds originating from a public administration, Mr. Alpha had not been awarded any public procurement contracts in the last decade. Funds were traced to bank accounts in the sub-region and to real estate companies (SCI) owned by his brothers, delta and Gamma, with Mr. Alpha identified as the ultimate beneficial owner, unbeknownst to tax authorities.
The lack of a documented economic link between the public administration and the recipients prompted CENTIF to refer the case to the financial judicial pool. Following a detailed report, judicial authorities executed a conservatory seizure of over 10 billion FCFA. The case highlights growing concerns about illicit financial flows and the vulnerability of public funds to exploitation by politically exposed individuals within the region. Further investigations are underway to determine the full extent of the alleged money laundering operation and potential collaborators.