No Result
View All Result
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Careers
en English
en Englishfr Français
Support Us
Mimi Mefo Info
  • Cameroon
  • Africa
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Business
  • Education
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Editor’s Picks
  • Sport
  • Cameroon
  • Africa
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Business
  • Education
  • Tech
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
  • Editor’s Picks
  • Sport
No Result
View All Result
Mimi Mefo Info
English | Français
No Result
View All Result

Bonas-Yaounde: Budding Businesses Hidden Under Rusty Roofs

Mimi Mefo Takambou by Mimi Mefo Takambou
February 22, 2021
Reading Time: 5 min
Bonas, Yaounde Cameroon

Bonas, Yaounde Cameroon

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

A neighbourhood looking nothing different from the ordinary, situated at the heart of Cameroon’s political capital, Yaoundé originally known for being the residential area for students of the University of Yaoundé 1, Ngoa-Ekele.

Bonamoussadi, otherwise known as Bonas, is nothing like the dilapidated structures that characterize the area. In fact, Bonas is considered as the centre of almost all underground dealings in the whole of Yaoundé ranging from the trafficking of drugs to the falsification of national and international documents of nearly all sorts.

‘Bonas qualifies the unqualified’

One might think that such an area will be a likely target for law enforcement agents. That is not the case. Bonas has qualified many civil servants in the country. Many may be shocked to realise that many civil servants seated in state offices are there thanks to the underground service rendered at Bonas.

The forging and production of fake documents in this neighbourhood are among the most lucrative underground activities that have gone on for years unhindered.

I had the opportunity to meet some of these fraudsters and in my talk with two of them; I was quite perplexed about the huge amounts of money they make from these illegal dealings. One of them told me he lives exclusively of this in Yaoundé.

Millions at play in Bonas fake documents trade

I talked exclusively to two of these agents undercover as a client, and the things they said were indeed striking. I met Carlson (not his real name) who revealed to have been falsifying documents for more than three years in Bonas.

He bragged to me about the quality of work he does for people and loads of money that he has made from these people.

“In Cameroon, all you have to do is to be smart and ready to take risks to succeed. Let me shock you… I am a former student at the University of Yaounde with very good grades. But who told you that I needed to attend classes for me to have my Certificates? Everything here is how you negotiate…,” he told me.

‘Organised crime syndicate in Yaoundé’s epicentre’

One of the most intriguing things about these people is how careful and secretive they are in all their dealings. As an intruder or a spy in their business, you stand a very big risk, as they are capable of doing anything to stay away from the dragnet of the law.

Before I was involved with them the message was clear. “If we find out you are aimed at sabotaging us we will deal with you. You should ask the person who referred you to us. We don’t joke,” he threatened. You could tell from the way they all sounded that they are serious. It is almost as if they have an organised syndicate amongst themselves.

From my discussions with these fraudsters, I realise that just any document could be falsified with them. Their most frequent clients usually are students of the University of Yaounde 1 who come to produce fake documents.

Competitive entrance exam, peak season for fraud

The second fraudster with whom I communicated told me that he particularly gets many jobs coming his way when public examinations are launched around the country.

“I often receive them in their numbers. Some people who have never completed High School will come for me to produce for him a certificate so he can apply for an examination. I usually do not know how far they go with those documents but the truth is I do not care. So long as you pay the money I ask of you then I’m fine… many that also have opportunities abroad but no valid documents and no time to get them simply come around here. I do not do international documents but I have a friend who does them. It usually looks exact with the originals. They are often inching accurate,” he told me.

I asked him about the possibilities of being caught by elements of the law and his response very intriguing.

“Police! They know about what happens but why should they stop what they benefit from?” was his response.

Whatever that meant I did not want to ride my chances too far. When I asked him about the amount of money they charge on an average basis for any document that they make, he categorically told me that the lowest amount he would charge for a document he produces is 50,000 FCFA.

“I even consider myself being very cheap compared to other persons you might be referred to. I have a friend who does this equally. It is with him where we print most of the forged documents. The least he charges for a document is 150,000FCFA. It also depends on the type of document you want him to do for you. Mostly, we have scammers who come to us with fake documents layout they want us to design as authentic proof to their victims. Those types of documents usually cost higher than the ordinary student who wants us to rectify some results on their slip or certificate”.

Bonas, Cameroon in miniature

In all, what one realises from the decaying structures in this neighbourhood is a satirical summary of what Cameroon is.

The negligence, corruption, insecurity, the stench from dirty gutters, the poor infrastructure, and an extremely poor drainage system.

Bonas is a perfect “ghetto” and survival within the confines of this neighbourhood is only for the smartest and the fittest.

By Leopold Werner

You can help support our work through the link below
Tags: BonasFake documentsFake documents YaoundeYaounde Cameroon
ShareTweetSendShare
Previous Post

Campo: Le nouveau préfet de l’océan se frotte aux souffrances des populations

Next Post

Biya warns Henry Eyebe Ayissi to desist from selling State Land

Related Posts

Nwa MP blames diaspora for killings, hints imminent dialogue to end Mbororo-native conflict
Cameroon

Nwa MP blames diaspora for killings, hints imminent dialogue to end Mbororo-native conflict

February 26, 2021
Cameroon

Letter to US Congressmen: Hon. Jean Michel Nintcheu expresses dismay, shock at Cameroonian MPs

February 26, 2021
Cameroon

U.S Congress letter to Joe Biden: Cameroon MPs fire Back at “Falsehood”

February 24, 2021
Uzbekistan: Six Cameroonians detained for trafficking counterfeit dollars
Cameroon

Uzbekistan: Six Cameroonians detained for trafficking counterfeit dollars

February 24, 2021
Cameroon

Chinese-Cameroonian car factory venture fiasco: Botched scam or consequence of corruption?

February 23, 2021
Cameroon

George Ewane’s colleague urges him to step up, uphold courageous reporting

February 23, 2021
You can help support our work via the link below

Recommended

Politique: Josuah OSIH signe une pétition controversée

14 mins ago
Nwa MP blames diaspora for killings, hints imminent dialogue to end Mbororo-native conflict

Nwa MP blames diaspora for killings, hints imminent dialogue to end Mbororo-native conflict

49 mins ago

Letter to US Congressmen: Hon. Jean Michel Nintcheu expresses dismay, shock at Cameroonian MPs

3 hours ago

Coronavirus: 100.000 doses de vaccin bientôt au Cameroun

5 hours ago

Popular News

  • Updates: Who killed the 4 chiefs in Lebialem? The Plot thickens

    Updates: Who killed the 4 chiefs in Lebialem? The Plot thickens

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Bui Division:
    Separatist faction challenges CPDM MP’s unity call, promises hell for soldiers

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Dschang road Accident blamed on Illicit fuel trafficking, reckless driving

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • War in NW, SW: Child roasted alive in Batibo

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

You can help support our work via the link below

Category

  • Affairs
  • Africa
  • Afrique
  • Agriculture
  • Business
  • Cameroon
  • Cameroun
  • Culture
  • Développement
  • Economie
  • ECONOMY
  • Editor's Picks
  • Editorial
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Environnement
  • Food
  • Français
  • French
  • Gestion
  • Gouvernance
  • Health
  • Human Interest/Society
  • Human Rights
  • HUMANITAIRE
  • Insécurité
  • Interviews
  • Judiciary
  • Justice
  • Lifestyle
  • Live Update
  • MONDE
  • News
  • News Roundups
  • Opinion
  • Other
  • Politics
  • Politique
  • Religion
  • Road Safety
  • Santé
  • Science
  • Security
  • Société
  • Sport
  • Tech
  • Tourisme
  • Transport
  • Travel
  • Voyage
  • World

Important Links

  • Term of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us

Copyright © 2020 Mimi Mefo Info Ltd. - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Politics
  • World
  • Business
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
  • Tech
  • Health
  • Food

Copyright © 2020 Mimi Mefo Info Ltd. - All Rights Reserved.

en English
en Englishfr Français
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
pixel