Yaoundé police dismantle travel reservation fraud network

Authorities in Yaoundé have dismantled a cybercriminal network specializing in fraudulent travel reservation websites. The First Region Gendarmerie, supported by the Presidential Guard, arrested two primary suspects during operations on September 8 and 11, 2026.

The network operated by creating sophisticated websites that mimicked legitimate travel agencies and transport companies. Victims were lured into making payments for tickets, after which fraudsters would contact them pretending to be customer service agents. They used various pretexts to manipulate victims into providing transaction screenshots, which allowed the criminals to gain access to and drain their bank accounts and mobile money wallets.

One of the arrested individuals, Suffo Patrick (known as ‘Le Suspendu’), is a repeat offender who had previously been convicted twice for similar crimes. The total financial loss attributed to this network is estimated to exceed 50 million CFA francs. Law enforcement is currently searching for a third accomplice.