A large-scale real estate scam has just been dismantled by the Ivorian police in Abidjan. The mastermind of the operation, a 45-year-old man with the initials AGG, was arrested after posing for weeks as the landlord of a luxury villa located near the Koumassi Commando Camp.

A well-oiled digital strategy

According to the General Directorate of the National Police (DGPN), the suspect had implemented a formidable modus operandi:

1. The digital trap: He was posting ultra-attractive rental ads on social media.
2. A team of accomplices: To lull clients' suspicions, he had surrounded himself with "business introducers" who managed the physical visits to the house.
3. The false pretext: Once seduced, the victims paid the deposit and several months' rent in advance. In exchange for a release, the fake owner promised to hand over the keys a month later, giving them time to complete supposed "renovation work."

The trap snapped shut on 22 victims , who vanished in a puff of smoke along with the con artist. The total loss is estimated at over 16 million CFA francs .

Picked up in a bush camp in Grand-Bassam

Faced with a growing number of complaints, officers from the 6th arrondissement police station in Koumassi, supported by law enforcement in Grand-Bassam, launched a manhunt. The suspect was finally located and arrested on Friday, May 8, 2026, while he was in a makeshift bar in Grand-Bassam.

Having confessed during his interrogation, AGG attempted to justify his actions by explaining that the money was intended to finance a housing development project on land inherited from his deceased mother.

The man in his forties was brought before the Court of First Instance in Abidjan to answer charges of fraud.

Authorities urge vigilance: Faced with the rise in online real estate scams, the police remind the public to exercise extreme caution. Before any money is paid, it is imperative to demand proof of ownership and meticulously verify the landlord's identity.