Real estate fraud targeting Gambians, especially those in the diaspora, has reached alarming levels, with losses exceeding half a billion dalasis, the Minister of Lands and Religious Affairs, Hamat Bah, has revealed.

He said that shortly after assuming office, he began reviewing transactions in the real estate sector and uncovered massive irregularities.

“I found that real estates defrauded over half a billion dalasis from Gambians, particularly members of the diaspora,” he said.

He noted that the problem was worsened by the absence of a legal framework to hold perpetrators accountable.

“There was no law, and when some of them were arrested, they were released the next day. This angered the President, and all officers at one of the police stations involved were subsequently transferred,” Bah added.

He emphasised that the government is now taking decisive steps to address the issue.

“We realised that more had to be done. There must be a law to deal with these offenders, and the bill has gone for validation,” he explained.

He noted that previous delays were due to the short sentences handed to perpetrators, which allowed them to resume fraudulent activities shortly after release.

Mr Bah stressed that the new measures will ensure that anyone found guilty and prosecuted will face consequences strong enough to deter future fraud.

“Now, anyone found guilty and prosecuted will, once out of jail, never defraud anyone again,” he said.

This initiative is part of broader government efforts to protect citizens’ investments and restore confidence in the country’s real estate sector, particularly for Gambians living abroad who have often been the most affected by such schemes.

By Adama Makasuba