The suspects, identified as Morris Tamba (left) and Sembeh Borhay allegedly acquired phone numbers from Lonestar Cell MTN and posed as Sieh while soliciting cash.
Monrovia – The Liberia National Police has launched an investigation into two men accused of impersonating FrontPageAfrica’s Managing Editor, Rodney Sieh, in a scheme to extort money from government officials, prominent citizens, and businesses.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The suspects, identified as Morris Tamba and Sembeh Borhay allegedly acquired phone numbers from Lonestar Cell MTN and posed as Sieh while soliciting cash.
Condemning the act, Mr. Sieh described it as “unfortunate” and called on the police to act swiftly in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“It is unfortunate that young and agile men are stooping so low to engage in criminal activities by soliciting money under false pretense pretending to be Rodney Sieh,” Sieh said. “They need to find a job or go to school. It is very easy to trace these phone numbers as we have been doing on a number of occasions. Others have been arrested and so will these two.”
Lonestar Cell MTN confirmed that it has blocked the two numbers in question, noting that the matter is now under investigation.
“I would like to thank the management of Lonestarcell MTN for their assistance in identifying the suspects. I hope this serves as a warning to others that the SIM registration process makes it easy to apprehend perpetrators of these activities,” Sieh added.
Officials said the breakthrough was made possible through the Liberia Telecommunications Authority’s mandatory SIM card registration exercise launched a few years ago.
Meanwhile, the LNP confirmed that its probe is ongoing.
Not the First Case
This is not the first time individuals have attempted to exploit FrontPageAfrica’s reputation for financial gain.
In 2014, an imposter, Prince Sieh (no relation to Rodney), was arrested after months on the run. He had been demanding money from government officials, claiming he could suppress unfavorable news stories about them.
In 2022, the Monrovia City Court jailed two men — Cyrus Jackson Doe, 33, and Junior V. Foley — for impersonating FrontPageAfrica reporters and editors in a scheme to blackmail senior government officials. Along with another man, George Vaye, they were charged with forgery, impersonation, conspiracy, facilitation, and solicitation under Liberia’s Penal Law.
