Concord Times (Freetown)
Mohamed Massaquoi
22 June 2009
Freetown — The Koroma-led APC government has introduced a new strategy to crackdown on all criminal activities, especially those of 419ers which are deemed to have the potential of destroying the nation's economy by driving away potential investors.
Minister of information and communications, Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo made the disclosure yesterday during the government weekly news briefing at Youyi Building in Freetown.
Kargbo said government was aware that fraudsters were hell bent on destroying the good image of the country by indulging in the criminal enterprise of duping people with genuine intentions to set up businesses in the country.
He said president Ernest Bai Koroma has set up what he called a 'Fraudster Committee' that comprises the National Revenue Authority, the Bank of Sierra Leone and his ministry charged with the responsibility of seriously monitoring the activities of these individuals.
"We have come to the realization that if we allow criminals, including 419ers to continue with their dubious activities, it will give a bad name to this country.
"Their activities have the potential to drive away investors. Most of the complaints received are mainly on the loss of money, diamonds or gold. The president has formed this committee to address some of these worrying concerns so that people with good intentions can get the required support from government," the minister noted.
He however urged investors to always ensure that appropriate steps and channels are used to carryout their business activities.
"The committee will help the law enforcement agencies to crackdown on such criminality in all parts of the country," he concluded.
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The decision taken by the APC to crack down on 419ers is long over due. Sierra Leone has been seen as a play ground,and a safe heaven for criminals around W/Africa in particular and the world. The porousity of our boardres,and rampant bribery of custom officers has made Sierra Leone the nucleus for criminal activities to be practiced beyond magnitudinal proportion.
The infliteration of Nigerians into the country is very alaming, and caution need to be taken. Why has the government not introduced the residential permit up to date? And look what has been happening in Kono since the discovery of Diamonds. Foreigners behaving as diamond dealers, and possessing licenses to buy diamonds from illicit Sierra Leone miners.
It's very sad, that Sierra Leone governments have long time sold our pride to unscropulous business people like: Sirians (so-called Lebanees),Indians,Marakas from Mali,and Senegal,and now Nigerians to name but a few. Please, His Execellency start now to crack on these 419ers.