The Special Division for Combating Cybercrime (DSC) achieved a major success by neutralizing a sophisticated BEC ( Business Email Compromise ) scam. The perpetrators were attempting to steal 57,630,000 FCFA from the Islamic Bank of Senegal (BIS).

The modus operandi: High-precision social engineering

Investigators have uncovered an organized network that relied on advanced forgery techniques:

1. Identity theft: Creation of a "mirror" email address that almost perfectly imitates that of the company "Nouvelle Vision du Sénégal" .
2. False documents: Production of counterfeit commercial and banking documents to lend credibility to the transaction.
3. Commercial pretext: The transfer was justified by a fictitious purchase of heavy machinery on behalf of the SARL “GCEM Sénégal” .

The operation: A suspect arrested in Almadies

Thanks to a technical monitoring system, the DSC was able to locate the recipient's account at Orabank Senegal . On April 3, 2026, the operation entered its active phase.

1. Arrest: A key suspect was apprehended at the Orabank branch in Almadies.
2. Security: The funds were frozen before any disbursement.
3. Prosecutions: Several accomplices have been brought before the Dakar Public Prosecutor's Office. The investigation continues to uncover the international ramifications of the network.

🛡️ Recommendations from the National Police

Faced with the increasing number of these "presidential" attacks or attacks via compromised emails, the authorities are calling for heightened vigilance:

Expert advice: "A single character change in an address (a '0' instead of an 'O') can be enough to deceive employees."

Good habits to adopt:

1. Two-factor authentication: Always confirm a transfer instruction through a second channel (direct phone call).
2. Rigorous verification: Carefully analyze the sender's address and attached documents.
3. Training: Raising staff awareness of phishing risks and securing professional messaging systems.
4. Immediate reaction: Report any anomaly or attempted fraud to the competent authorities as soon as the first suspicions arise.

Cooperation between financial institutions and the police remains the most effective defense against this rapidly evolving financial cybercrime.