CRIET: Aurélie Nougloï-Guézo defends herself against accusations of cybercrime
Actress Aurélie Nougloï-Guézo appeared on Thursday, December 4, 2025 before the correctional judge of the CRIET’s trial chamber.
Placed in pretrial detention, she is being prosecuted for internet fraud. According to the prosecution, she is suspected of having bought a SIM card for a cybercriminal incarcerated at the Abomey-Calavi prison, a card that was then allegedly used to scam victims in the name of the Institut national de la femme (INF).
Asked to give her version of events, the defendant pleaded not guilty. Assisted by her lawyer, Me Sylvain Omer Tchiakpè, she admitted to having indeed bought the SIM card, while claiming she did not know it would be used for fraudulent purposes.
According to Banouto, it all began on January 28, 2025, when she was contacted by a prisoner’s sister to buy pagnes (traditional cloths). Shortly after, the prisoner himself called her for the same reason. Aurélie Nougloï-Guézo says she went to the Calavi prison four or five times to deliver the items.
It was during these exchanges that the inmate allegedly asked her to help buy a SIM card. According to her account, she presented the prisoner’s identity document at the agency, but protocol required her to use her own fingerprints. She then bought the SIM in his name. The actress says she refused to hand the SIM over herself in prison, believing it would be a prohibited act. The inmate then reportedly sent another person to collect it.
The defendant says she deactivated the card a week later on the advice of a close contact. She says she cut it up immediately after being alerted to possible risks. That decision allegedly angered the inmate, who called her to demand explanations. In tears before the judge, Aurélie Nougloï-Guézo insisted she was unaware of any fraudulent use that may have been made of the card.
Me Tchiakpè argued that his client was not the only one who had been solicited. According to him, the prisoner allegedly convinced several women to buy SIM cards for him. At the end of the hearing, the Court postponed the case to January 22, 2026 for the continuation of the proceedings.
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