Samuel Issah Abdulai, a 28-year-old driver who was detained on his wedding day for allegedly scamming several people, appeared in an Accra Circuit Court.
Abdulai is accused of defrauding three complainants out of GH¢352,000 by falsely promising to acquire electronic visas for Mongolia, Georgia, Albania, and Malaysia.
He has been charged with defrauding under false pretenses and document forgery but has pleaded not guilty.
Presiding judge Samuel Bright Acquah gave him bail of GH¢150,000 with three sureties, one of which must be justified. He also has to report to the police every two weeks.
According to Chief Inspector Daniel Danku, the prosecution’s lead officer, the victims include two traders, Ohenewa Sarah and Matilda Ayaaba, and a businesswoman, Aisha Ahmed, all of whom are based in Accra.
The accused, who lives in Nkawie, Ashanti Region, allegedly conspired with an accomplice named Antwi to entice unsuspecting victims.
Between September and December 2024, Abdulai and his accomplice allegedly offered visa services online, claiming to allow travel to Belarus, Andorra, Albania, and Malaysia. At the time, he allegedly feigned to be in Belarus.
The victims believed his allegations and sent him varied sums.
GH¢47,000 from Ohenewa Sarah.
GH¢55,000 from Matilda Ayaaba.
Aisha Ahmed collected GH¢250,000 from eleven other persons.
Abdulai went into hiding after receiving the money in his mobile money account.
In December 2024, Abdulai reappeared and supplied documents via WhatsApp, stating they were electronic visas. However, the complainants became suspicious and started looking for him.
Their efforts were rewarded when they found him down for his wedding ceremony in Nkawie, Ashanti Region. They arrested him in the midst of the celebration and turned him over to Teshie police.
A subsequent inquiry by the Immigration DFEC Unit revealed that the visas he presented were forgeries.
Credit: pulse.com.gh
