By Alusine Sesay
Freetown — Sierra Leonean businessman and computer engineer, Peter Lahai, has strongly denied allegations that he defrauded two Sierra Leonean women residing in the United States of US$31,900.
Through his lawyer, Lahai described the accusations as “false, malicious, and calculated to injure my client’s reputation, cause distress to his family, and undermine his professional standing.” He further rejected claims that he impersonated any official or individual.
According to a police report, the disputed funds were allegedly obtained under the pretext of facilitating a confidential travel programme to the United States. A formal complaint was lodged at the Ross Road Police Division in Freetown by Dr. Sesay, acting on behalf of the victims.
The victims claim they were introduced to Lahai in 2024 through an elderly woman in the U.S./
Lahai allegedly assured the women he could arrange travel using service passports. Based on these assurances, the victims reportedly paid a total of US$30,900 in two instalments — US$19,800 on November 13, 2024, and US$11,100 on December 7, 2024. Lahai allegedly issued a written undertaking, promising delivery by February 24, 2025.
The women allege that Lahai later sent them a soft copy of a service passport bearing what appeared to be a U.S. visa stamp. However, scheduled travel dates in December 2024 and February 2025 failed repeatedly, with Lahai offering inconsistent excuses.
Independent checks by the victims reportedly revealed the visa was fake. They demanded a refund, but efforts to recover the money through Lahai, his alleged mother-in-law, and other intermediaries proved unsuccessful.
The Sierra Leone Police say investigations into the matter are continuing.