Following police arrest and investigation, it was discovered that employee Abraham Gbogar solicited money from a mining agent in the name of giving him a Class B License.
Gbogar used his criminal skills to defraud an agent by impersonating the Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye.
However, the Ministry of Mines and Energy has clarified that Minister Paye has no involvement in any or all acts of soliciting money from anyone for any license process.
Additionally, the Ministry of Public Relations Department stated that application procedures and acquisition of all categories of mining licenses are clearly indicated in the Minerals and Mining Law and the accompanying regulations.
Gbogar, who was arrested by state security following security intelligence at the Duport Road Junction in Paynesville, outside Monrovia, was using his scam to defraud an individual of a targeted amount of five thousand United States dollars (US$5,000) in the name of granting the individual a Class ‘B’ Mining License.
Gbogar, who is also an employee of the ministry, regretted and apologized for his criminal act of impersonating by claiming to be Wilmot Paye, the Minister of Mines and Energy.
The victim of the scam, Peter Logan, who is also a Class ‘C’ Miner from River Cess County, explained that being knowledgeable about the sector and Minister Paye’s firm stance on moral rectitude and integrity in public service, he became skeptical of releasing the requested amount of money to Gbogar’s emissary.
However, he disclosed giving Gbogar only US$50.00 as transportation fare.
