On Monday March 24, 2025, the Court for the Repression of Economic Offences and Terrorism (CRIET) examined a highly unusual case: a young man was accused of staging his own death in order to escape his creditor, a French national.
According to the accusation made by the victim’s lawyer, the accused posed as a Beninese businessman, soliciting financial assistance from an expatriate under the pretext of charitable works and lucrative investments. Convinced by these opportunities, the Frenchman allegedly transferred up to 53 million FCFA to the young man.
But when the victim demanded tangible proof of the promised investments, the accused suddenly disappeared. To close the case once and for all, he allegedly orchestrated his own funeral, going so far as to produce announcements, organize a wake and a funeral mass, complete with coffin and supporting images.
At the hearing, the court presented overwhelming evidence: photographs of the defendant in a coffin, sent to the victim as proof of his death. All the documents indicated that the funeral had taken place in Porto-Novo.
Defendant denies all charges
On the stand, the young man, a pastry chef by training, pleaded not guilty, denying any involvement in a swindle. He acknowledged having been in contact with the plaintiff, but claimed that their relationship was purely friendly. He claimed that the Frenchman had promised him a trip to Europe, and that in the meantime, he was helping him financially by paying his accommodation and living expenses.
According to his version of events, the dispute arose after the Frenchman confessed to him that he was homosexual, prompting him to cut off all contact. He accuses a friend of fabricating and distributing images of his alleged funeral without his consent.
During the proceedings, the public prosecutor questioned the accused about his true sexual orientation and why he had accepted so much money. The prosecution revealed that evidence of cybercrime had been found in his phone, suggesting that he might be involved in other similar cases.
In view of the evidence gathered, the public prosecutor requested a sentence of five years’ imprisonment, together with a fine of one million FCFA. He also asked the court to order the accused to repay the 53 million FCFA to the victim. The final verdict will be delivered on May 19, 2025.