It’s an explosive affair that is shaking up the scenes of one of the largest car dealerships in Senegal. According to the daily Liberationa massive embezzlement of 1.2 billion CFA francs was discovered within the “Sénégalaise de l’Automobile”. The scandal, revealed thanks to a complaint filed by the company’s general management, highlights sophisticated fraudulent practices orchestrated by Cheikh Ahmadou El Khadim Dieng, a former executive in the transit service.
A first suspect at the heart of the investigation
According to investigations by the Criminal Investigation Division (DIC), Dieng, aged 42, was in charge of depositing checks for customs clearance of imported vehicles. He allegedly diverted these payments intended for Perception Dakar-Port, leaving the company facing arrears of customs fees estimated at hundreds of millions. Arrested at Blaise Diagne International Airport (AIBD) while trying to leave the country, he claimed “sick leave” without providing any proof.
But most disturbing, according to Liberationis the discovery of a parallel society, Logical Transitcreated by Dieng. Investigators found receipts dating from 2020 in his offices, as well as evidence of other financial embezzlement that could go back several years.
Internal complicity and external ramifications?
If Cheikh Ahmadou El Khadim Dieng is the first to be implicated, the evidence collected suggests the existence of a larger network. Documents found show that he acted with the help of intermediaries, notably his second wife, who tried to discreetly negotiate a moratorium with the Public Treasury. The latter allegedly usurped an identity to carry out these negotiations, which fuels suspicions of organized complicity.
Furthermore, Liberation reports that Dieng sometimes received “credits” on deposited checks. This practice, although not yet elucidated, could be at the heart of the money laundering mechanism currently being analyzed by the financial prosecutor’s office.
Revelations that accumulate
During the search of the accounts for the year 2024, the management of “Sénégalaise de l’Automobile” discovered other irregularities, confirming that the problem goes beyond the year 2023. The scale of the losses and the sophistication of the embezzlements raise fears of “financial carnage”, according to the terms used by Liberation.
The financial prosecutor’s office faces a headache
While Cheikh Ahmadou El Khadim Dieng chose to remain silent after his arrest, the financial prosecutor’s office decided to extend the investigations to deepen the charges of breach of trust and money laundering. A formal request will be submitted to the College of Investigating Judges in order to unravel the multiple ramifications of this scandal.
Liberationby revealing this affair, highlights the flaws in the internal control system of companies and the need for increased vigilance to prevent such abuses. The shock wave of this colossal embezzlement could well redefine the management of large car dealerships in Senegal.
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