A local church was defrauded of more than $60,000 in what investigators describe as a sophisticated scam, authorities announced.
The case began in late 2025 when the Troup County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a church in the county had lost more than $60,000. Detectives spent months tracing the scheme and ultimately identified Ousmane Gassama Diaby, of Arlington, Virginia, as the suspect.
Warrants were issued for Diaby’s arrest on charges including five counts of identity theft, money laundering, theft by taking, and initiation of a deceptive commercial email. At the time, however, he was out of the country in Ghana.
Earlier this month, when Diaby returned to the United States, a Troup County sheriff’s major and a deputy from the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office traveled to Newark, New Jersey, to take him into custody and transport him back to Georgia.
Diaby is currently being held in the Troup County Jail. Investigators have not released details on exactly how the scam was carried out, though the deceptive email charge indicates the church may have been targeted with messages designed to appear legitimate.
Sheriff’s officials stated they will pursue individuals who target local churches and businesses, regardless of where they travel.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
