M.A. Lô, a 53-year-old official from the Impôts et Domaines, has been arrested by the Division des investigations criminelles (DIC) and referred to the prosecutor on charges of real estate fraud. Recently assigned to the General Directorate, Lô is accused of attempting to sell two non-existent plots of land for a total sum of 80 million FCFA.
The Details of the Transaction
The case began in 2023 when H. Kouédou and her sisters were introduced to Lô through a family associate. Presenting herself as an agent of the Domains, Lô offered the women two residential plots located in the city center’s Plateau district.
Attracted by the prime location, the sisters entered into an agreement to acquire the land. They provided an initial down payment of 30 million FCFA, for which they received a receipt, while the remaining 50 million FCFA was to be paid upon the delivery of the property titles.
Failed Deliveries and Legal Action
After several months of waiting without receiving any official documentation, the buyers began to suspect the transaction was fraudulent. H. Kouédou and her sisters subsequently requested a refund of their deposit.
According to the plaintiffs, Lô ignored multiple requests for the return of the funds. This lack of response led the victims to file a formal complaint with the DIC.
The Suspect’s Defense
During questioning by investigators, M.A. Lô admitted to the facts but attempted to justify the situation. She claimed the parcels were “biens en curatelle”—properties considered vacant or abandoned that required administrative regularization before they could be sold.
Lô further asserted that the process was interrupted by a decision from the authorities to temporarily suspend certain land operations in the affected zones. She also claimed to have offered the victims alternative land in the Mamelles area, which she says faced similar administrative blocks.
Despite these claims, Lô could not produce the property titles for the original plots, stating they were kept at her home. She failed to honor a commitment to repay the 30 million FCFA in three installments between April 10 and April 30, 2026.
Potential Legal Outcomes
The matter is now under judicial review. Depending on the court’s findings, M.A. Lô could face criminal penalties for fraud. The legal process may also determine the possibility of recovering the 30 million FCFA for the victims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is M.A. Lô?
M.A. Lô is a 53-year-old agent of the Impôts et Domaines who was recently assigned to the General Directorate.
What was the total amount involved in the fraud?
The total price for the two non-existent plots was 80 million FCFA, of which 30 million FCFA was paid as a down payment.
How did the suspect justify the missing property titles?
She claimed the plots were vacant properties (biens en curatelle) and that a government decision had suspended land operations in those zones.
Do you believe stricter verification of property titles should be mandatory before any down payments are made in real estate deals?
