A series of complaints filed with the Itaosy gendarmerie brigade and the Ambohimamory police station since July 15 have uncovered a vast scam targeting agricultural product merchants.
The suspect consistently used the same method: posting advertisements on social media, posing as a buyer of rice, coffee, corn, or peanuts. She would pay only the transport costs, set a date for the remaining payment, and then disappear, cutting off all contact.
The recorded losses are significant, including 101 bags of flour valued at 12.8 million ariary, coffee estimated at 12 million, peanuts at 15 million, 60 bags of rice at 5.8 million, Cape peas at 42 million, three tons of rice at 5 million, 150 tons of corn at nearly 67 million, and 477 kilograms of corn at 3.4 million. The total damage exceeds 163 million ariary.
The suspect was arrested on July 15 in Ankadimbahoaka and placed in police custody. While her referral to the prosecutor was scheduled for yesterday, new complainants continue to come forward, according to reports.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-21 06:26:53 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/ambohimamory-des-commercants-subissent.html