TIG Post

Tag: fraud

  • ‘Tech Queen’ Sapphire Egemasi faces over 20 years sentence due to fraud allegations

    ‘Tech Queen’ Sapphire Egemasi faces over 20 years sentence due to fraud allegations

    Nigerian programmer, Sapphire Egemasi, known on social media as a “tech queen,” faces over 20 years in prison after the FBI arrested her for allegedly helping defraud U.S. government agencies of millions of dollars.

    Egemasi was taken into custody in April 2025 in the Bronx, New York, alongside other suspects, including Ghanaian national Samuel Kwadwo Osei, believed to be the leader of their circle of fraudsters

    The charges stem from a federal indictment for internet fraud and money laundering, with crimes said to have occurred between September 2021 and February 2023.

    Court documents allege that Egemasi’s role was to create fake U.S. government websites to steal login credentials, which were then used to divert public funds.

    She also reportedly helped transfer stolen money into accounts controlled by the syndicate.

    Investigators say the group rerouted $965,000 and $330,000—both stolen from the city of Kentucky—into accounts at PNC Bank and Bank of America in 2022.

    Egemasi, who previously lived in Cambridge, UK, is believed to have met her co-conspirators in Ghana years ago.

    She later became the syndicate’s tech specialist, operating across the U.S. and Nigeria.

    To conceal the source of her income, she claimed to have had internships at companies like BP, H&M, and Zara.

    Known for her flashy online presence, Egemasi often posted photos of expensive trips to countries like Greece and Portugal, presenting a life of success fueled by tech expertise.

    She and her co-defendants are currently being held in Lexington, Kentucky, awaiting trial.

    If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison, steep fines, and possible deportation.

    Watch the post below:

  • Man arrested on wedding day over alleged visa fraud granted GHC150k bail with three sureties

    Man arrested on wedding day over alleged visa fraud granted GHC150k bail with three sureties

    A 28-year-old driver, Samuel Issah Abdulai, who was arrested on his wedding day for allegedly defrauding multiple individuals under the pretense of securing visas, has been granted bail.

    The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah, admitted him to bail in the sum of GHC150,000 with three sureties, one of whom must justify their worth.

    Abdulai, facing three counts of defrauding by false pretenses and forgery of documents, pleaded not guilty. The court also ordered him to report to the police every two weeks as part of his bail conditions.

    Abdulai was tracked down at his wedding ceremony in Nkawie, Ashanti Region. They apprehended him and handed him over to the Teshie Police.

    According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Daniel Danku, Abdulai and an accomplice identified as Antwi allegedly advertised visa services online between September and December 2024. The duo claimed to facilitate travel to destinations such as Belarus, Andorra, Albania, and Malaysia, promising employment opportunities.

    At the time, Abdulai reportedly misrepresented himself as being in Belarus, convincing unsuspecting victims of his credibility. Three complainants—Ohenewa Sarah and Matilda Ayaaba, both traders, and Aisha Ahamed, a businesswoman—contacted him for visa assistance.

    The prosecution stated that Abdulai collected GHC47,000 from Sarah, GHC55,000 from Matilda, and GHC250,000 from Aisha, who had gathered funds from eleven other individuals hoping to travel. These transactions were done via mobile money, with the payments linked to Abdulai’s registered number.

    However, after receiving the funds, Abdulai allegedly disappeared. In December 2024, he resurfaced and sent what he claimed were electronic visas via WhatsApp. The complainants, suspecting fraud, conducted further checks.

    “Further checks on the electronic visas at the Immigration DFEC Unit revealed that all the visas were fake,” the prosecution stated.

  • Samuel Inkoom granted GHC50k bail in fraud case

    Samuel Inkoom granted GHC50k bail in fraud case

    Former Black Stars player Samuel Inkoom has been granted bail in the amount of GH¢50,000 with one surety after being charged with defrauding by false pretences.

    The 34-year-old appeared before the Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Addo, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Inkoom is accused of collecting $3,500 from Benjamin Opare Addo, a student, under the pretense of securing a visa to the Netherlands but failing to fulfill his promise. According to the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, Inkoom, who presented himself as the owner of S. Inkoom Travel and Tour Company, convinced Addo in September 2023 to pay for the visa.

    Between September and November 2023, Addo paid a total of GH¢32,100 in instalments. However, the court heard that Inkoom failed to deliver the visa within the agreed timeframe. After repeated attempts by Addo to either recover his money or secure the visa proved unsuccessful, the matter was reported to the police.

    Inkoom was arrested on January 11, 2024, and admitted to the offence. He refunded GH¢7,000 but has yet to return the remaining GH¢25,100.

    Defending Inkoom, his lawyer argued for bail, highlighting that the accused had already refunded part of the money and was committed to paying the outstanding balance. The defence also underscored Inkoom’s reputation and his likelihood of appearing in court as required.

    The case has been adjourned to December 30, 2024.

  • 7 ways to tackle fraud in the financial industry – GAB proposes

    7 ways to tackle fraud in the financial industry – GAB proposes

    The Ghana Association of Banks (GAB) has outlined seven key strategies to tackle fraud in the financial industry, responding to growing concerns highlighted in the Bank of Ghana’s (BoG) Fraud Report, which analyzed fraud trends from 2019 to 2023.

    The report revealed vulnerabilities in the banking sector, prompting urgent recommendations for stronger defences.

    One of the foremost recommendations is investment in advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for fraud detection. These tools can process large datasets in real time, flagging suspicious transactions before fraud occurs.

    The second recommendation emphasizes a “zero-trust” security framework, a system that continually verifies users and devices to reduce the risk of insider threats by ensuring no automatic trust within the system.

    A third crucial strategy is the implementation of blockchain technology, offering a secure and transparent method for recording and validating transactions, preventing document forgery and enhancing trust across the sector.

    GAB also highlights the importance of enhancing staff vetting processes and fostering a strong ethical culture through robust training programs. Encouraging whistleblowing is another approach suggested to prevent internal fraud by giving employees the confidence to report suspicious activities without fear of retribution.

    Customer education is the sixth key point. As mobile and online banking grows, banks are urged to empower customers with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves from cyberattacks and fraud.

    Lastly, the seventh strategy calls for addressing employee well-being, recognizing that financial pressures on staff could potentially lead to fraudulent behavior. By promoting a supportive and fair work environment, banks can mitigate the risk of fraud motivated by economic stress.

    These comprehensive proposals from GAB are aimed at enhancing fraud prevention within the financial industry, aligning with the BoG’s broader goals to secure and strengthen Ghana’s financial sector.

  • Kwahumanhene resigns as ADB Board Chair amid GHC2m fraud allegations

    Kwahumanhene resigns as ADB Board Chair amid GHC2m fraud allegations

    Kwahumanhene Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II has stepped down from his position as Board Chairman of the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) following allegations of extortion involving over GHC2 million.

    His resignation, which takes immediate effect, comes after a customer of the bank, Collins Darkwa, accused him of demanding money in exchange for the approval of a loan.

    According to a statement from ADB, the decision to step down was made during an emergency board meeting held on Thursday, during which Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II, who also serves as the Kwahumanhene, chose to resign in the best interest of the bank.

    The allegations stem from a petition filed by Collins Darkwa to the Office of the President. In the petition, Darkwa claims that the Board Chairman demanded GHC50,000 upfront and additional funds in return for facilitating a GHC12 million loan. Darkwa described how, under financial pressure from his suppliers, he had no choice but to comply with the demands.

    “Under pressure from my suppliers to procure logistics for the cashew to be supplied, I had no other choice than to agree to the conditions,” Darkwa said in his petition.

    Despite complying, Darkwa alleges that the Kwahumanhene continued to press him for more money, even threatening to use his influence as Board Chairman to frustrate Darkwa’s business operations if he failed to make further payments. The businessman has appealed to the Presidency to help him recover a total of GHC2,408,000 from the former Board Chairman.

    The swift resignation of Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II has brought relief to many within the bank, with observers noting that this action demonstrates the bank’s commitment to good corporate governance. ADB is considered one of the best-performing local banks, and the decision is seen as reassuring to its customers and the general public.

    ADB, which won the Ghana Banking Award’s Most Socially Responsible Bank twice and the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Bank at the Ghana Business Awards, continues to distinguish itself among its competitors. The bank, listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange in 2016, offers a range of banking services, including consumer, corporate, SME, agribusiness, and trade services, with a strong focus on agriculture.

    The current ownership structure of ADB includes:

    • Financial Investment Trust – 64.05%
    • Government of Ghana – 21.50%
    • Ghana Amalgamated Trust PLC – 11.26%
    • Retail investors and ADB staff – 3.2%.

    A petition filed by Collins Darkwa to the Office of the President

    The Office of the President’s letter

  • Fraud cases rise by 5% in 2023, losses reach GHS88m – BoG Report

    Fraud cases rise by 5% in 2023, losses reach GHS88m – BoG Report

    Data from banks, Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs), and Payment Service Providers (PSPs) shows a 5% rise in fraud cases, with incidents increasing to 15,865 in 2023 from 15,164 in 2022, according to the Bank of Ghana’s annual Fraud Report.

    The report, aimed at raising awareness of fraud and its trends within the year to uphold the banking system’s integrity, revealed a total loss of approximately GH¢88 million in 2023, up from GH¢82 million in 2022, marking a 7% increase.

    A closer look at the 2023 figures showed that fraudulent withdrawals, cyber/email fraud, and cash suppression were areas with significant growth. The report also flagged SIM swap fraud, where fraudsters take over SIM cards linked to bank accounts and steal funds, especially from those using mobile banking apps tied to mobile money wallets.

    While attempted fraud in the banking and SDI sectors fell by 59% in 2023 compared to 2022, the loss value associated with these cases jumped by 29%, from GH¢56 million to GH¢72 million. The report attributed the surge in loss value to major fraud cases involving foreign currencies, which, when converted to cedi, inflated the overall figure.

    In the PSP sector, fraud cases rose by 20%, from 12,166 incidents in 2022 to 14,655 in 2023. However, the sector saw a 38% drop in losses, with the total value falling to GH¢16 million in 2023, down from GH¢26 million the previous year.

    While banks and SDIs recorded higher losses, the PSP sector saw a decline in its loss value for the year. The BoG stated that it continues to work with institutions facing high levels of fraud to create action plans to address the issue.

    The central bank has also strengthened its engagement with stakeholders to boost efforts in combating cyber-related fraud. Additionally, the report outlined new directives for banks, SDIs, and PSPs, which are expected to help reduce fraud incidents if implemented effectively.

  • KNUST blows alarm on fraudulent admission syndicate

    KNUST blows alarm on fraudulent admission syndicate

    The management of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has issued a strong warning regarding the activities of a criminal syndicate posing as facilitators for university admissions.

    The syndicate is said to be deceiving prospective students into making payments and divulging personal information under the pretense of offering guaranteed admission into the university.

    Operating through fraudulent email addresses such as knust.inscript@gmail.com and knust.inscripton@gmail.com, the syndicate solicits funds and sensitive data from unsuspecting applicants, falsely claiming to manage KNUST’s admission processes.

    In response to these deceptive schemes, KNUST has made it clear that the university has not authorized any individuals, agents, or third parties to handle admissions on its behalf. All admission processes are managed exclusively through the university’s official channels, which include the KNUST Admissions Office and authorized vendors.

    KNUST is urging prospective students and their guardians to disregard any communications from these fraudulent entities and report such activities immediately to the nearest police station.

    In a statement, the university stressed, “We urge all prospective students and their parents to disregard any such fraudulent communications and report them immediately to the nearest police station.”

    To avoid becoming victims of this scam, KNUST has provided clarity on how to properly obtain admission forms:

    • Undergraduate Admission Forms: These can be purchased at all regional post offices nationwide or by dialing the short code *885# and following the prompts to buy the forms.
    • Postgraduate Admission Forms: These are available at designated banks.

    The university management is imploring all stakeholders to exercise extreme caution and ensure they engage solely with the official KNUST Admission Office for any admission-related matters. “Management entreats all prospective students and guardians to exercise extreme caution and engage with the KNUST Admission Office exclusively, to avoid falling victim to fraud,” the statement advised.

    KNUST reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a transparent and secure admission process for all applicants. Any questions or concerns regarding admissions can be directed to the university’s official contact points:

    • Website: www.knust.edu.gh
    • Tel: 03220-61831 / 03220-60444
    • Email: Admissions@knust.edu.gh
    • Fax: 03220-60444

    The university’s management is actively working with law enforcement agencies to address the issue and protect the interests of prospective students.

  • Twifo Atti-Morkwa NPP members pledge support for PC despite fraud charge

    Twifo Atti-Morkwa NPP members pledge support for PC despite fraud charge

    The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Twifo Atti-Morkwa, Central Region, has committed to supporting its parliamentary candidate, Ebenezer Dwamena, who has been remanded in police custody.

    Mr. Dwamena, along with two other individuals, was remanded on Wednesday, July 31, for allegedly failing to deliver a vehicle after receiving payment from a businessman in Twifo Praso.

    The trio faces charges of conspiracy to defraud by false pretenses and false pretenses.

    In an interview with Citi News, Charles Amoah, the NPP communications officer for Twifo Atti-Morkwa, affirmed that the party will fully support Dwamena’s legal team.

    “Since the case is now in court, we are leaving it to the legal people to intervene in whatever processes will be done. Her Lordship gave us two weeks and so we are now waiting and whatever can be done will be done early,” Amoah stated.

    According to Amoah, Dwamena had introduced some friends to a car dealer after successfully purchasing a vehicle from them. However, after the money was transferred, the car dealer failed to deliver the vehicle, leading the buyers to take the matter to court, which resulted in Dwamena’s remand.

    The presiding judge, Her Ladyship Sophia Priscila Yeboa, remanded the suspect into police custody and has forwarded the case to the Attorney General’s Office for advice.

  • NPP’s Twifo-Ati-Morkwa PC, 2 others arrested for fraud

    NPP’s Twifo-Ati-Morkwa PC, 2 others arrested for fraud

    The New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary candidate for Twifo Ati-Morkwa Constituency, Ebenezer Dwamena, and two others have been remanded in custody by the Assin Kyekyerwere Circuit Court.

    The trio faces charges of conspiracy to defraud and false pretenses, related to allegations that they failed to deliver a vehicle to a businessman in Twifo Praso after receiving payment exceeding Gh¢300,000.00.

    The court, presided over by Her Ladyship Sophia Priscila Yeboah, remanded the accused persons to allow the police to forward the case docket to the Attorney-General’s Office for advice. The defense team had raised concerns about the circuit court’s jurisdiction, citing the significant amount involved in the alleged fraud.

    The case has sparked interest in the region, with many following the developments closely.

    The remand is seen as a temporary measure to allow for further investigation and guidance from the Attorney-General’s Office before the case proceeds.

  • Two individuals granted GHS100,000.00 nail each in alleged car fraud case

    Two individuals granted GHS100,000.00 nail each in alleged car fraud case

    The Dansoman Circuit Court has approved bail of GH¢100,000.00 with three sureties each for two individuals accused of aiding in car fraud.

    It mandated that two out of the three sureties for each defendant must be public servants earning at least GH¢5,000.00. Additionally, all sureties must reside within the Court’s jurisdiction, with one surety for each defendant required to be justified.

    The Court stipulated that two out of the three sureties for each defendant must be public servants earning no less than GH¢5,000.00. Additionally, all sureties must reside within the Court’s jurisdiction, with one for each defendant required to be justified.

    David Dompreh Broni, aged 41 and a car agent, along with Evans Nkeboare, also known as Kobby, aged 28 and employed as a shop attendant/driver, were instructed by the Court to report to the Police weekly unless otherwise directed.

    Further orders from the Court directed the prosecution to submit disclosures and witness statements for the Case Management Conference scheduled to commence on August 7, 2024.

    Broni and Nkeboare pleaded not guilty to charges of aiding and abetting six others who remain at large in defrauding by false pretenses.

    Meanwhile, Osei Monney, alias Ampadu, aged 67 and a pensioner, Adofo Samuel, aged 62 and a shop attendant, along with four others, are currently evading arrest.

    According to the prosecution, the complainant, a Public Relations Officer residing in Tema, reported the incident.

    The prosecution indicated that Monney, Broni, Nkeboare, and Adofo were individuals residing in various suburbs of Accra, with Broni initiating contact with Monney in January 2024 to facilitate the sale of his unregistered Hyundai Elantra vehicle through Jiji.com.

    The Court was informed that after seeing the advertisement on February 1, 2024, the complainant called the number listed and was directed to another person.

    Subsequently, the alleged owner met Monney the following day to remove the for-sale stickers on the car in the presence of Nkeboare and Adofo to avoid suspicion, as per the Court’s records.

    The prosecution stated that when the mechanic requested the vehicle’s documents for inspection, the alleged owner, dressed in a “Kaftan” attire, provided them in the presence of Monney, Nkeboare, and Adofo.

    Following the inspection and a test drive with Nkeboare, Adofo, and the alleged owner, the mechanic approved the purchase, and the complainant agreed to pay GH¢90,000.00, with Nkeboare and Adofo present.

    Upon requesting bank details for a transfer, the complainant was informed by the alleged owner that he owed the bank, prompting them to go to Fidelity Bank, Kaneshie Branch, where she withdrew GH¢90,000.00.

    Later, at a nearby shop, the complainant met the alleged owner and another accomplice posing as a cashier, who received the full amount and issued a receipt, promising to stamp it at Monney’s shop before handing over the documents and ignition keys.

    According to the prosecution, upon arriving at Monney’s shop, the alleged owner fled on a waiting motorbike, having defrauded the complainant.

    Subsequently, Monney informed Broni that the car was sold, prompting Broni to remove the vehicle details from Jiji.com.

    The Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accomplices involved in the case.

  • Prempeh College old student nabbed in US for $7m wire fraud

    Prempeh College old student nabbed in US for $7m wire fraud

    Two Ghanaian-American citizens have been arrested in the United States on charges of wire fraud, allegedly amassing around $7 million over three years.

    Kelvin Nkwantabisa, 31, from Atlanta, also known as “Kevin Brown” and “KO,” is the primary suspect and is currently held by U.S. Marshals in Broward County, as reported by Local 10 on Friday, May 24. Nkwantabisa, believed to be an alumnus of Prempeh College, is detained in the Broward Main Jail and faces six federal charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.

    The second suspect, Justice Amoh, also known as “Samuel Andrews,” from The Bronx, New York, is being prosecuted in the Southern District of Florida.

    The indictment also names two other co-conspirators: John Jouissance from Canal Winchester, Ohio, and Leshea Moore, also known as “Deborah Green,” from Acworth, Georgia.

    The federal indictment details their scheme: they allegedly compromised victims’ business email accounts to monitor and intercept emails discussing wire transfer payments. Posing as legitimate business partners, they sent fraudulent emails with payment and wire instructions, tricking victims into transferring money into bank accounts controlled by the group.

    The indictment lists five unidentified victims, including a corporation in Coral Springs, a company in Suffolk, England, and an investor in Auckland, New Zealand. These entities reportedly wired over $7 million to accounts controlled by the group and their co-conspirators.

    The group is accused of opening shell companies and bank accounts to receive the stolen funds. Authorities allege the scheme operated from August 2022 through March 2023, with the Coral Springs company alone losing over $1.3 million.

    Nkwantabisa appeared in Fort Lauderdale federal court on Thursday and is scheduled for an arraignment and detention hearing next Thursday. Federal court records indicate that Amoh and Jouissance were also taken into custody in New York and Ohio, respectively, this week. Moore was not in custody as of Friday.

    If convicted, all face decades in federal prison.

  • Two Ghanaian-Americans in police custody for involvement in $7m fraud – Report

    Two Ghanaian-Americans in police custody for involvement in $7m fraud – Report

    Two Ghanaian-American citizens have been arrested in the United States on charges including wire fraud, which reportedly netted them around US$7 million over three years.

    The primary suspect, Kelvin Nkwantabisa, is in the custody of U.S. Marshals in Broward County, according to a report by Local 10 on Friday, May 24.

    Kelvin Nkwantabisa, 31, from Atlanta, also known by the aliases “Kevin Brown” and “KO,” is being held in the Broward Main Jail. He faces six federal charges, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, as reported by Local 10.

    The other suspect, Justice Amoh, also known as “Samuel Andrews,” from The Bronx, New York, is being prosecuted in the Southern District of Florida.

    Their two other co-conspirators are identified as John Jouissance from Canal Winchester, Ohio, and Leshea Moore, also known as “Deborah Green,” from Acworth, Georgia.

    According to Mynewsgh.com, Amoh and Nkwantabisa were educated in Ghana before moving to the U.S., where the alleged crimes occurred.

    The federal indictment mentions unnamed co-conspirators and describes their modus operandi: they compromised victims’ business email accounts to monitor and intercept emails discussing wire transfer payments. Posing as legitimate business partners, they sent fraudulent emails requesting payments and wire instructions, leading victims to transfer money into bank accounts controlled by the group.

    The indictment lists five unidentified victims, including a corporation in Coral Springs, a company in Suffolk, England, and an investor in Auckland, New Zealand. These entities wired over $7 million to accounts controlled by the group and their co-conspirators.

    The group is accused of opening shell companies and bank accounts to receive the stolen funds. Authorities allege the scheme operated from August 2022 through March of this year, with the Coral Springs company alone losing over $1.3 million.

    Nkwantabisa appeared in Fort Lauderdale federal court on Thursday and is scheduled for an arraignment and detention hearing next Thursday. Federal court records indicate that Amoh and Jouissance were also taken into custody in New York and Ohio, respectively, this week. Moore was not in custody as of Friday.

    If convicted, all face decades in federal prison.

  • Ghanaian jailed 48 months in US for involvement in $3.8m romance scam

    Ghanaian jailed 48 months in US for involvement in $3.8m romance scam

    A Ghanaian national, Emmanuel Quamey, has been sentenced to 48 months in prison for his involvement in defrauding vulnerable and elderly victims in the United States, according to asaaseonline.com.

    United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon handed down the sentencing, which also includes a forfeiture order of $3.3 million and restitution totaling approximately $3.8 million to the victims.

    Quamey, who pleaded guilty in October 2023 to conspiring to receive stolen money, was part of a scheme laundering the proceeds of romance scams, exploiting victims’ trust and companionship desires, resulting in significant financial loss.

    Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, underscored the seriousness of the crime, condemning romance scams as callous crimes preying on vulnerable victims.

    “Romance scams are callous crimes in which perpetrators steal money from vulnerable and elderly victims by taking advantage of the victims’ trust and desire to form human connections,” Peace stated.

    “This sentence serves as a warning to individuals like the defendant that there are real consequences to participating in these cruel scams. This Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to bringing these fraudsters to justice and getting the victims’ money back.”

    Peace emphasized the consequences for participating in such scams, affirming the commitment to bringing fraudsters to justice and recovering victims’ money.

    Special Agent-in-Charge Ivan J. Arvelo of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York, commended the investigators for their efforts.

    According to court filings, between September 2019 and March 2023, Quamey and his co-conspirators orchestrated a scheme receiving over $3.8 million in fraud proceeds from vulnerable U.S. victims of romance scams.

    These scams involve scammers posing as potential romantic partners on social media or dating sites, tricking victims into sending money under false pretenses.

    Quamey’s role was to receive and launder the victims’ money, personally receiving approximately $3.3 million wired into bank accounts he controlled.

    Using multiple bank accounts in the United States and Ghana, Quamey and his co-conspirators transferred the victims’ money overseas to Ghana.

    “Romance scams are callous crimes in which perpetrators steal money from vulnerable and elderly victims by taking advantage of the victims’ trust and desire to form human connections,” Peace stated.

    “This sentence serves as a warning to individuals like the defendant that there are real consequences to participating in these cruel scams. This Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to bringing these fraudsters to justice and getting the victims’ money back.”

  • Man claiming to be Asantehene’s chief private investigator caught defrauding others

    Man claiming to be Asantehene’s chief private investigator caught defrauding others

    A middle-aged man named Kwadwo Amoah Ampong has been arrested for impersonating the chief private investigator for Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and extorting money from unsuspecting victims.

    Ampong is accused of using both traditional and social media platforms to spread false allegations against various Asante chiefs. He claimed they were involved in illegal mining activities, land sales, and embezzlement, thereby tarnishing their reputations.

    The suspect’s fraudulent activities came to light when several individuals reported his extortion attempts to the authorities who got hold of him and brought him in for questioning.

    Investigations revealed that Ampong had no affiliation with the Asantehene and was not authorized to act on behalf of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

    His actions were solely aimed at extorting money from people while creating a facade of legitimacy by posing as the Asantehene’s chief private investigator.

    The Asantehene’s office has condemned Ampong’s actions, emphasizing that such fraudulent behavior undermines the integrity of traditional leadership and the justice system.

    They reassured the public that the Asantehene remains committed to transparency and upholding the law, and they thanked the police for their swift action in apprehending the suspect.

  • Vietnamese real estate tycoon given death sentence over $12 billion fraud

    Vietnamese real estate tycoon given death sentence over $12 billion fraud

    A court in Vietnam has sentenced real estate tycoon Truong My Lan to death over her involvement in a 304 trillion dong ($12.5 billion) financial fraud case, the largest in the country’s history, state media reported on Thursday.

    Lan, the chairwoman of real estate developer Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, was found guilty of embezzlement, bribery, and violations of banking rules.

    Her trial, which began on March 5, ended earlier than planned and was a dramatic outcome of Vietnam’s campaign against corruption, a pledge made by the leader of the ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, to eradicate.

    “We will keep fighting to see what we can do,” a family member told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity, according to CNN reports. Before the verdict, the family member had said Lan would appeal against the sentence.

    Lan had pleaded not guilty to the embezzlement and bribery charges, Nguyen Huy Thiep, one of Lan’s lawyers, told Reuters.

    “Of course she will appeal the verdict,” he added, noting she was sentenced to death for the embezzlement charge and to 20 years each for the other two charges of bribery and violations of banking regulations.

    Truong My Lan, along with her accomplices, was found guilty of embezzling over 304 trillion dong from Saigon Joint Stock Commercial Bank (SCB), which she effectively controlled through numerous proxies, despite regulations strictly limiting large shareholdings in lenders, according to investigators.

    Between early 2018 and October 2022, when the state bailed out SCB following a run on its deposits triggered by Lan’s arrest, she allegedly misappropriated substantial sums by orchestrating unlawful loans to shell companies, investigators revealed.

    Currently, the bank is being supported by the central bank and is undergoing a complex restructuring process to determine the legal status of hundreds of assets used as collateral for loans and bonds issued by Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group (VTP), of which Lan was the chairwoman. The total value of the bonds alone amounts to $1.2 billion. Many of these assets include high-end properties and unfinished projects.

    Prior to her downfall, Lan had been a prominent figure in Vietnam’s financial sector, playing a significant role in the previous rescue of SCB over a decade ago, before her involvement in the bank’s subsequent crisis.

    Lan was also found guilty of bribing officials to turn a blind eye, including paying $5.2 million to a senior central bank inspector, Do Thi Nhan, who received a life sentence.

    Vietnam predominantly reserves the death penalty for violent crimes, but it also applies it to economic offenses. According to human rights groups, the country has executed numerous convicts in recent years, primarily through lethal injection.

    In the case mentioned, 84 defendants received varying sentences, including probation for three years to life imprisonment. Among them were Truong My Lan’s husband, Eric Chu, a Hong Kong businessman, who was sentenced to nine years in prison, and her niece, who received a 17-year sentence.

  • Comply with monthly reporting of fraud cases – BoG cautions banks

    Comply with monthly reporting of fraud cases – BoG cautions banks

    The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has issued a warning to banks, urging them to adhere to its monthly report on fraud cases.

    This measure is intended to assist the regulator in consolidating efforts to track fraudulent activities within the financial sector.

    Head of Financial Stability at the BoG, Dr. Kwasi Osei Yeboah, emphasized the bank’s commitment to collaborating with all financial sector players to cleanse the sector of fraudulent activities.

    He made these remarks at a workshop on Committee for Cooperation between Law Enforcement Agencies and the Banking Community.

    Dr. Yeboah stressed the importance of a collaborative effort from all stakeholders in addressing the issue of fraud in the financial sector.

    “This may be a hindrance to promote financial soundness and integrity because without that, people will not feel free to participate in product and services within the financial space”, he said.

    “Banks are supposed to report all the fraud case to the Bank of Ghana even when nothing happens. They still have to do it. For us, even if one fraud occurs, it is important to us because it speaks to the concerns that the consumer will have for the financial sector”, he added.

    The Bank of Ghana’s fraud report for 2023 revealed that the total loss value recorded by Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs) in 2022 was approximately GH¢56 million, compared to approximately GH¢61 million in 2021, indicating a 7.88% decrease from 2021.

    The report also indicated that there were 2,998 attempted fraud cases in the banking and SDI sectors in 2022, compared to 2,347 cases in 2021, representing a 27.74% increase.

    On his part, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Association of Banks, John Awuah, has advocated for a clear-cut approach to addressing fraud-related cases within the financial sector.

    “As we are moving a number of our operations to those platforms, confidence is very key in such cases on the part of our customers. As an association, we need a clear cut mechanism to get fraudsters apprehended because even one fraud is dangerous to the sector”, he stated.

  • Over GHC2m lost due to 194 cases of online fraud in Q1 of 2024 – Cyber Security Authority

    Over GHC2m lost due to 194 cases of online fraud in Q1 of 2024 – Cyber Security Authority

    The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has reported 194 cases of online fraud between January and March this year, resulting in a total financial loss of around GH¢2,404,161.

    According to the Authority, malicious actors create fake online shops or impersonate existing businesses on social media pages, offering heavily discounted goods.

    They also create fake business listings or profiles with their contact details on Google Maps mimicking legitimate businesses or brands and use search engine optimization techniques to manipulate search results for the targeted brand to divert legitimate inquiries to the scammers’ contact members.

    After the unsuspecting victims engage and pay (usually to a mobile money wallet) for products, the scammers block them from making further contact, and the expected delivery does not materialize.

    Malicious actors send unsolicited emails or messages claiming to be from a romantic partner, or a company offering deals associated with the festive season.

    “These messages contain links or attachments that when clicked, install malicious software (malware), or steal personal information,” the Cyber Security Authority.

    The Authority has therefore cautioned the general public to be aware of unsolicited messages offering exciting or “too good to be true” deals.

    “Use a reputable online marketplace or retailer when purchasing items or gifts. Consider reviews and customer feedback before making an online purchase. Search engines can be manipulated to show misleading results. Check on the official website or with reliable sources to validate the contact details of the shop you are searching for.

    “Insist on payment only after delivery and inspection and ensure that mobile money payments are made to wallets in the name of the online shop you are dealing with.”

    The Authority has advised against sharing personal information such as your Ghana card number, credit card information or bank account details with anyone.

  • GHS2m lost to online fraud in first quarter 2024 – CSA

    GHS2m lost to online fraud in first quarter 2024 – CSA

    Between January and March 2024, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) recorded 194 instances of online fraud, resulting in a cumulative loss of approximately GH¢2,404,161.

    The CSA issued a warning to the public regarding the importance of exercising caution when conducting online transactions.

    Regarding online shopping scams, the CSA elaborated in a statement that perpetrators often establish fake online stores or impersonate legitimate businesses on social media platforms, offering heavily discounted products.

    The statement highlighted that victims are lured into sending money for these purported deals, only to never receive the promised items.

    The Cyber Security Authority’s statement emphasized the need for vigilance against unsolicited messages advertising enticing or seemingly too-good-to-be-true offers, particularly during the Easter season.

    “Use a reputable online marketplace or retailer when purchasing items or gifts. Consider reviews and customer feedback before making an online purchase

    “Search engines can be manipulated to show misleading results. Check on the official website or with reliable sources to validate the contact details of the shop you are searching for.

    “Insist on payment only after delivery and inspection and ensure that mobile money payments are made to wallets in the name of the online shop you are dealing with.

    “Do not share personal information such as your Ghana card number, credit card information, or bank account details with anyone,” parts of the statement read.

  • Police officer who allegedly chopped off lady’s ear accused of stealing GHC600k from European man

    Police officer who allegedly chopped off lady’s ear accused of stealing GHC600k from European man

    A police officer identified as Clement Suputuor, who allegedly chopped off the ear of a young lady to force her to confess in police custody, has been accused of being engaged in a fraud scheme.

    A foreigner named Jan Koning, said to be living in Europe, alleges that he has been defrauded of an amount of GHC600,000 by the said officer who he said was involved in a land dispute case.

    Engaging Ghana Check Crimes, Jan noted that he got acquainted with Clement when he filed a complaint against one Bob, whom he had tasked to secure a plot of land, for defrauding him.

    Clement, who he said pledged to ensure he saw justice, began to ask for more money in order to ensure he received his plot of land. This was about three years ago.

    “We reported to the police and the officer at that time was Clement. And Clement says I’m going to assist you, justice will come for you. Clement arrested Bob. Bob made the confession that he took a lot of money from me.

    “Three years went on and Clement was asking money for everything. I sent GH600, 000 or more to Clement.”

    Asked why he sent such money to a law enforcer, he said Clement kept pushing him and due to his determination to get his land he hoped to build a hospital on, he gave in to the requests.

    “He said if you don’t do it now. I need to pay this and the land excavation and this. Everytime, it was a new story. I cannot be there. He was pushing me.”

    A complaint has formally been filed against Clement Suputuor, Jan said.

    Ripping part of lady’s ear

    As reported by Crime Check Ghana, the lady visited her boyfriend, who was already in police custody for theft. Upon arriving at the station, the lady was arrested and interrogated to confess what she knew concerning her boyfriend’s criminal activities.

    During the process, Clement allegedly pulled her ear with a knife, tearing a part of her ear.

  • Court orders arrest of administrator for defrauding businessman of $50,000

    Court orders arrest of administrator for defrauding businessman of $50,000

    The Accra Circuit Court has issued an arrest warrant for a 36-year-old administrator accused of defrauding a businessman of $50,000.

    Mary Dede Doku allegedly collected $50,000 from the complainant in 2021, promising to purchase a 2020 Range Rover Sport but failed to do so.

    Doku, facing charges of defrauding by false pretenses, failed to appear in court for the hearing.

    Her lawyer, Mr. William Newman, informed the court that she had traveled and was not in Ghana.

    Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Frimpong stated that this was the first time the police had heard of her travel.

    The prosecution requested the court, presided over by Mr. Isaac Addo, to issue a bench warrant for Doku’s arrest.

    The case has been adjourned to March 27, 2024.

    The complainant, Dennis Ahiable Isaac Owusu, resides in Nungua, while the accused is based in the USA.

    In 2021, the complainant expressed interest in buying a vehicle to Doku, who agreed to assist. He gave her $50,000 to purchase a 2020 Range Rover Sport, which she failed to deliver despite repeated demands.

    Doku claimed in 2022 that the dealer had sold the vehicle and promised to refund the money but did not.

    The complainant reported the case to the Auto Theft Unit of the Ghana Police Service, leading to Doku’s arrest.

    In her statement, Doku admitted to collecting $50,000 to purchase the vehicle but claimed to have reported her dealer in the USA.

    During investigations, Doku refunded $20,000, leaving a balance of $30,000, which she has failed to refund despite several attempts by the complainant.

  • 14 Lands Commission staff steal GHC100M in stamp duty fraud

    14 Lands Commission staff steal GHC100M in stamp duty fraud

    Fourteen staff members of the Lands Commission have been interdicted due to their involvement in Stamp Duty fraud.

    The fraudulent activities were uncovered in May 2022 when the Commission’s Audit Unit identified discrepancies in the tax figures paid by property owners for the registration of their properties.

    The fraud, suspected to have caused a tax loss of 100 million Ghana Cedis, is currently under investigation by the National Investigations Bureau.

    Acting Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Benjamin Arthur, disclosed this information during the Executive Secretary’s Annual Briefing and launching of the Staff Awards Scheme in Accra on Friday.

    While acknowledging the fraud, the Commission clarified that further investigations revealed an exaggeration of the amount.

    The affected staff members are undergoing court processes, and internal disciplinary actions have been taken against them. Final disciplinary procedures are underway to determine their fate within the Commission, as stated by Mr. Arthur.

    Simultaneously, disciplinary procedures are being initiated against other Commission staff for fraudulent actions involving the deletion and insertion of records, aiming to produce false search reports.

    “It is important to state that while management will continue to provide the required job security for staff such acts of indiscipline and fraud will not be condoned,” he said.

    “Therefore, management will provide the state investigation bodies the required assistance to weed out the bad nuts amongst us,” Mr Arthur said.

    During the event, the Lands Commission unveiled a comprehensive five-year Business Strategic Plan spanning from 2023 to 2027, serving as a guiding framework for its operations. The strategic plan encompasses five primary goals, focusing on bolstering the Commission’s financial sustainability, implementing digital reforms, enhancing corporate image, and fostering competence and discipline among staff to elevate service delivery.

    Mr. Benjamin Arthur, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Commission, announced the upcoming launch of an outreach initiative named the “You Deserve to Know” campaign. This program aims to educate the public on various aspects of the Commission’s operations, services, and processes.

    The campaign will shed light on the Commission’s mandate, service delivery procedures, applicable service fees, digital reform platforms, and more. The objective is to improve the corporate image of the Commission, build public awareness, and foster trust and confidence in its operations.

    In addition, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio,outlined the Ministry’s plans for the year. These include the digital transformation of land administration activities, the completion and commissioning of the new Lands Commission’s head office in April, and efforts to enhance the Commission’s corporate image.

    He expressed confidence in the leadership of the Commission, believing it is moving in the right direction.

  • Nigerian man arrested in Ghana; charged with wire fraud, identity theft, in $7.5m fraud scheme

    Nigerian man arrested in Ghana; charged with wire fraud, identity theft, in $7.5m fraud scheme

    Nigerian national Olusegun Samson Adejorin has been arrested in Ghana and charged with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and unauthorized access to a protected computer. 

    The charges are linked to an elaborate $7.5 million scheme, with the arrest taking place on Friday, December 29, 2023.

    The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland has issued an eight-count federal grand jury indictment against Adejorin. The charges are related to his alleged involvement in defrauding two charitable organizations through impersonation and unauthorized access to employee email accounts.

    Between June and August 2020, Adejorin is accused of orchestrating a scheme to defraud a charitable organization in North Bethesda, Maryland, and another in New York. The indictment outlines his actions, including gaining access to employee email accounts, posing as employees, and inducing fraudulent financial transactions.

    One facet of the scheme involved Adejorin posing as an employee of the New York-based organization, requesting withdrawals of the organization’s funds. He is also alleged to have fraudulently obtained employee credentials, using them to send emails, including requests for the withdrawal of investment funds.

    The indictment further accuses Adejorin of purchasing a credential-harvesting tool designed to steal email login credentials. He allegedly registered spoofed domain names and concealed fraudulent emails from legitimate employees by moving them to inconspicuous locations within their mailboxes.

    If convicted, Adejorin could face severe penalties, including a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each of the five wire fraud counts. Unauthorized access to a protected computer carries a potential sentence of up to five years, while aggravated identity theft carries a mandatory two-year sentence, consecutive to any other imposed sentence, for each of the two counts.

    The arrest and charges highlight the growing complexity of cybercrime and the global efforts to apprehend individuals involved in such fraudulent activities. Adejorin’s case underscores the need for heightened cybersecurity measures and international cooperation to combat financial crimes with transnational dimensions.

  • Ayite Kortor Queen mother tried for duping job applicants of GHC93,000

    Ayite Kortor Queen mother tried for duping job applicants of GHC93,000

    Queen mother of Ayite Kortor, Jewel Oquaye Prempeh, has been arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court on charges of defrauding by false pretenses.

    She allegedly collected GH₵93,000 with the promise of enlisting 15 applicants into various Ghanaian security services and institutions but failed to fulfill the commitment.

    During the court appearance, Jewel pleaded not guilty to the charges but expressed her intention to refund the money to the complainant. The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Daniel Danku, did not oppose bail but requested that the conditions ensure the accused’s attendance in court.

    The prosecution outlined that the complainant, Osman Zakari, was a businessman residing in Abeka, Accra, while the accused was the queen mother of Ayite Kortor Community in Madina, Accra.

    In 2021, the accused allegedly informed the complainant about recruitment opportunities in various institutions, claiming to have connections in high-profile government offices.

    After the complainant expressed interest, Jewel reportedly collected GH₵93,000 as an initial payment and obtained soft copies of certificates and application forms from 15 applicants. Despite promises to secure jobs within two months, the accused allegedly failed to deliver and went into hiding.

    Following a police report, Jewel was arrested, and in her investigation caution statement, she admitted to collecting the money but failing to secure jobs for the applicants.

    The court granted her bail in the sum of GH₵100,000 with one Ghanaian citizen as a surety. The case has been adjourned to February 14, 2024.

  • Prince Tagoe pays half of $40,000 auto fraud debt, ordered to pay the rest at GH₵10 per dollar

    Prince Tagoe pays half of $40,000 auto fraud debt, ordered to pay the rest at GH₵10 per dollar

    In the unfolding auto fraud case, an Accra Circuit Court has mandated former Black Stars player, Prince Tagoe, to reimburse GH₵10 for each dollar implicated in the alleged scam, according to GNA reports.

    Tagoe has repaid $21,000 (equivalent to GH₵210,000), leaving an outstanding balance of $19,000.

    During the court session, Tagoe suggested repaying the money based on the 2021 dollar rate.

    Still, Prosecution, led by Detective Chief Inspector Agartha Abena Asantewa, opposed this request, arguing that the funds given to Tagoe by the complainant, Black Stars Assistant Coach George Boateng, were in dollars.

    They maintained a rate of GH₵10 per dollar, even though it wasn’t the current forex market rate.

    Prince Tagoe faces allegations of defrauding George Boateng of $40,000, ostensibly for importing a Lexus sports utility vehicle.

    Tagoe denies the charge but has made partial payments of GH¢20,000, GH¢70,000, and GH¢71,000. The court granted him bail at GH¢100,000 with three sureties, one of whom must be a civil servant. Additionally, the court allowed one of the sureties to be justified with landed property.

    The complainant, George Antwi Boateng, a former player residing in Germany, recounted that Tagoe and Boateng, who had a previous player-manager relationship in Germany, met in Ghana in 2020. Tagoe agreed to import a vehicle for Boateng at the cost of $40,000, equivalent to GH¢265,200.

    Chief Inspector Asantewaa explained that $40,000 was deposited into Tagoe’s bank account on January 8, 2021. Despite Tagoe’s assurance of delivering the vehicle by March 30, 2021, he failed to do so. Upon returning to Ghana on April 27, 2021, Boateng discovered the unfulfilled transaction. Tagoe allegedly admitted to spending the money on other matters, leading to the fraud allegations.

    The case has been adjourned to February 21, 2024.

  • Ghanaian man and son charged with defrauding hundreds of immigrants in US

    Ghanaian man and son charged with defrauding hundreds of immigrants in US

    A Ghanaian lawyer, Kofi Amankwaa, based in the United States, along with his son, Kofi Amankwaa Jr., has been arrested and charged with orchestrating a seven-year immigration scheme that defrauded hundreds of immigrants, leading to some being deported.

    The allegations involve advising clients to submit fraudulent petitions under the Violence Against Women Act, falsely claiming abuse by their American citizen children to facilitate green card applications.

    The applications were often found to be fraudulent, resulting in denials and deportations.

    The charges against the Amankwaas include conspiracy to defraud the United States and immigration fraud, each carrying maximum sentences of five and ten years, respectively. The New York attorney general, Letitia James, has filed a lawsuit seeking restitution and damages against the accused.

    Kofi Amankwaa had been licensed to practice law in New York since 1996, but his license was suspended in November after complaints were received about misconduct. The younger Mr. Amankwaa provided legal advice to clients even though he was not licensed to practice law in New York.

    One client, Ricardo Velazquez, was advised by Mr. Amankwaa to leave the country and re-enter to continue his green card application, claiming abuse by his son.

    However, Mr. Velazquez was detained and eventually deported when he tried to return from Mexico.

  • Two nabbed for defrauding Gaso Filling station of GHC1.2m

    Two nabbed for defrauding Gaso Filling station of GHC1.2m

    The manager of Gaso Filing Station, Sylvester Koomson, in Wassa Gyapa, Wassa Amenfi East district, has been arrested and remanded by the Tarkwa Circuit Court.

    Koomson, who is also a cousin of the filing station owner, Mr. Collins Opoku, is accused of stealing and defrauding the company of over GhC1.2 million over a three-year period.

    Collins Opoku entrusted the management of the filing station to Koomson based on trust and family ties. However, upon returning from other engagements and receiving tips from workers, Opoku conducted a financial audit.

    The audit revealed that Koomson had allegedly diverted company funds meant for supplier payments into his own pocket, resulting in debts exceeding GhC1.2 million.

    In a related development, Joseph Teye, a direct brother of Collins Opoku, was also arrested alongside Sylvester Koomson on charges of defrauding the company of millions of cedis.

    Teye, responsible for general merchandise, allegedly defrauded Opoku through over-invoicing, over-pricing, non-payments, and underpayments of merchandise, costing millions of Ghana cedis. Teye is also accused of stealing construction materials, such as cement and wood, meant for projects and smuggling them to Takoradi.

    The fraudulent activities of Koomson and Teye reportedly continued until company workers, fed up with their actions, blew the whistle, leading to their arrests.

    The duo was arraigned before the Tarkwa Circuit Court, with the investigator ASP Oduro and prosecutor SUP Juliana Essel Dadzie securing their remand for further investigation, in collaboration with the Economic and Organized Crime Organization (EOCO).

    Despite a plea for bail from the accused’s counsel, Agbota Esq., the Court, presided over by Her Ladyship Hattia Abena Manu, remanded Sylvester Koomson and Joseph Teye to Police custody. They are scheduled to reappear in court on January 19th, 2024.

  • Traders accused of fraud released on GHS40k bail

    Traders accused of fraud released on GHS40k bail

    An Accra Circuit Court has extended bail to two traders accused of defrauding a farmer, setting the amount at GHS40,000.00. The bail conditions include two sureties for each accused, with one of them required to be justified.

    Justice Mamor and Mustapha Alhassan allegedly obtained GHS37,000.00 from Tali Ndibadon, claiming they would supply him with a quantity of non-alcoholic drinks. Prosecutors state that Mamor has denied conspiring with Alhassan to defraud Ndibadon under false pretenses.

    Their next court appearance is scheduled for February 12, 2024, with the prosecution directed to provide disclosures to them in the upcoming three weeks.

    Police Inspector Rosemond Anyane, prosecuting, told the Court presided over by Madam
    Halimah El Alawa Abdul Baasit that Ndibadon, the complainant was a farmer and lived at Kpandai in the Northern Region.

    He said the accused persons: Mamor and Alhassan stayed at Konkomba-Accra.
    On November 14, 2022, Mamor met the complainant whom he knew at Kpandai and he revealed to Mamor that he wanted to buy non-alcoholic or soft drinks in large quantity to sell at Kpandai.

    Mamor, Prosecution said, told him he knew someone who could supply him, the complainant, with any quantity of the drinks that he wanted.

    Inspector Rosemond said Mamor also met Alhassan and told him that his brother had come from the North with plenty of money and wanted to buy drinks and that he wanted Alhassan to team up with him to take the money and share.

      The Court heard that Alhassan agreed to that effect and the two were able to convince and collect GHS37, 400.00 from the complainant to supply him with the drinks.

    She said after the two took the money, they went into hiding until December 6, 2023, when luck eluded them. The complainant saw Mamor at Agbogbloshie and caused his arrest.

    This, she said, led to the arrest of Alhassan.

    The two admitted the offence in their statement to the Police and after investigation, they were charged with the offence and put before court, Inspector Rosemond said.

    Sammy Laryea, their counsel, in praying for bail, said they had fixed places of abode, had wives and children, they had been in police custody for more than the stipulated time and that he would make sure they come to court for trial to prove their innocence.

  • USA slaps Nigeria’s Tingo Group boss with 15-year jail term

    USA slaps Nigeria’s Tingo Group boss with 15-year jail term

    Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of Tingo Group, a global agri-fintech conglomerate, is facing charges from U.S. authorities over an alleged “massive fraud” scheme deceiving investors and regulators.

    If convicted of conspiracy, securities fraud, and making false filings with the SEC, he could face up to 45 years in prison.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office asserts that Mmobuosi inflated the financial performance and assets of his companies, including Tingo Mobile and Tingo Foods, selling them to U.S.-listed entities like Tingo Group and Agri-Fintech Holdings, which then issued misleading financial statements.

    He allegedly syphoned off cash from these companies and profited from selling their shares at inflated prices.

    The SEC filed a civil complaint in December 2023, revealing that Mmobuosi engaged in fictitious transactions worth billions of dollars since 2019, describing the fraud as “staggering.”

    Trading in Tingo Group and Agri-Fintech Holdings was suspended in November 2023 due to concerns about the accuracy of publicly available information.

    Hindenburg Research, a short-selling activist group, exposed Mmobuosi’s fraud in June 2023, branding Tingo Group an “exceptionally obvious scam.”

    Their report challenged Mmobuosi’s claims of developing “Nigeria’s first mobile payment app” and accused him of falsifying financials, causing Tingo Group’s shares to plummet by over 60 percent.

    Mmobuosi, planning a $500 million capital round and IPO in 2022, vehemently denies the allegations, declaring his intent to fight them in court. He insists that he is a victim of conspiracy and maintains the legitimacy and profitability of his companies.

  • I gained so much wealth from fraudulent activities – Shatta Wale discloses

    I gained so much wealth from fraudulent activities – Shatta Wale discloses

    Hajia 4 Real could potentially share a cell with her ex-bestie Shatta Wale when they face trial and sentencing.

    Wale openly confessed to his past involvement as a fraudster, claiming to have accumulated significant wealth from it. The dancehall king made this startling admission during his Christmas concert while engaging in a competitive comparison with Stonebwoy and Sarkodie.

    Shatta Wale boldly asserted his financial superiority over Stonebwoy and Sarkodie, citing his past involvement in fraud as the reason for his wealth.

    Wale questioned his fans if they had ever heard of Stonebwoy or Sarkodie being linked to internet fraud, insinuating that his past involvement allowed him to amass more wealth than they could ever imagine.

    This admission appears imprudent, especially considering Shatta Wale’s close association with Hajia, who is currently facing fraud charges in the United States.

    Shatta Wale, in his pursuit of boasting, has once again engaged in reckless behavior, putting himself in the spotlight of the FBI just to assert his financial superiority over Stonebwoy.

    Best of luck with that!

  • Scrap dealer sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for fraud

    Scrap dealer sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for fraud

    A 33-year-old scrap dealer from Yendi, Alhassan Nurudeen, has been slapped with a 10-year jail term for the offense of defrauding by false pretense.

    According to the statement of offense, in June 2023, Nurudeen defrauded Tahidu Iddrisu of over GHC16,000.

    The statement outlines that the complainant encountered Nurudeen at a welding shop in Yendi, where the latter expressed interest in purchasing a tipper truck.

    Nurudeen successfully convinced the complainant that his father owned a garage with tipper trucks and assured him that he would arrange for the sale.

    Subsequently, he provided a contact purported to be the complainant’s father, instructing the complainant to pay money to Nurudeen. A total of GHC600,000 was transferred via mobile money to the accused.

    However, Nurudeen failed to deliver the promised tipper truck, leading to the case being reported to the Yendi police. In his cautioned statement, Nurudeen admitted to taking money from the complainant but claimed that the father, who supposedly traveled abroad, could not be reached on his mobile phone.

    The judge, H/H Justice Francis Ayamwuni Asobayire, convicted Nurudeen on his plea and sentenced him to 10 years imprisonment.

  • Policeman allegedly apprehended for MoMo fraud; accused of spending GH¢14,460 on betting

    Policeman allegedly apprehended for MoMo fraud; accused of spending GH¢14,460 on betting

    Constable Ernest Agyemang Darko, affiliated with the National Visibility Unit, has been apprehended for participating in mobile money fraud.

    As per a police situational report obtained by MyNewsGh.com, on November 29, 2023, Constable Ernest Agyemang Darko visited the Kasoa Branch of MTN Ghana for transactions amounting to GH¢14,460.

    However, he failed to produce the corresponding sum after the transactions were completed. Subsequently, he was taken to the CBG Bank, where he claimed to have an account, but the bank was closed.

    The agent subsequently alerted the police in the area, leading to his arrest.

    In his cautionary statement, Constable Ernest Agyemang Darko admitted to having no money on his person and no funds in his bank account.

    Despite this, he proceeded with the transactions, compelled by the pressure from individuals to whom he owed money and losses he incurred through betting.

  • Carpenter arrested for fraudulent sale of land

    Carpenter arrested for fraudulent sale of land

    The Gbetsile Circuit Court in the Kpone Katamanso Municipality of the Greater Accra Region has remanded Benjamin Akpabla, a 51-year-old carpenter, into custody for knowingly attempting to sell an already sold piece of land in Prampram.

    This act is contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act 29/60.

    Akpabla’s appeal for bail was opposed by the Prosecutor, Inspector Maxwell Ayeh, because he did not cooperate with the police during the first bail. The court, presided over by Mrs. Eleanor Kakra Banes Botchway, remanded the accused to reappear on December 6, 2023, for a witness statement to be filed.

    The accused, Benjamin Akpabla, received a total of GH₵40,000.00 from one Mr. Yeboah for the sale of a piece of land. Yeboah initially paid GH₵27,000.00 to the accused and later paid GH₵13,000.00 for the land document. However, all efforts to obtain the land document proved futile, prompting Yeboah to confront the family, who revealed that the land had already been sold.

    On May 21, 2023, Yeboah filed a formal report with the police, leading to the arrest of the accused. Subsequent investigations revealed that at the time the accused purportedly sold the land to the complainant, he was aware that the land had already been sold by his family.

    Inspector Ayeh mentioned that although the accused refunded GH₵15,000.00 to the police, he was later charged after the investigations.

  • Nigerian man granted asylum in the UK for being gay impregnates 3 women, arrested in £220K fraud scheme

    Nigerian man granted asylum in the UK for being gay impregnates 3 women, arrested in £220K fraud scheme

    A 33-year-old Nigerian man, Saheed Azeez, who secured refugee status in the UK under the pretext of being gay has not only had three children with different women, but has also orchestrated a £220,000 parcel fraud via Facebook and eBay.

    Saheed Azeez, who claimed he faced persecution by Boko Haram militants in his home country, was sentenced to six years in prison at Bolton Crown Court after admitting conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and plotting to possess criminal property.

    Azeez, residing in Wigan, collaborated with Nigerian fraudsters to establish an intricate network for a well-resourced scam.

    The modus operandi involved convincing sellers on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and WhatsApp to send high-value items to various addresses with the promise of payment upon delivery.

    However, Azeez would intercept the goods, selling them through his brother’s electronics shop.

    Over 14 months, Azeez, in collaboration with his associates, persuaded up to 272 victims to send goods worth a total of £220,000 to strangers’ homes. These individuals were promised a share of the proceeds in exchange for receiving the fraudulently obtained items.

    Azeez was tracked down by the police while dropping off one of his young sons at a primary school. During the arrest, he reportedly concealed three smartphones, integral to the scam, in the child’s school bag.

    The phones reportedly contained incriminating videos, including one sent to an underworld contact named ‘Baddest Boy,’ showcasing stolen smartphones.

    Having admitted to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and plotting to possess criminal property, Azeez is set to be sentenced next week, facing a potential six-year jail term.

    Nine individuals who allowed their addresses to be used as ‘drops’ in the scam will, according to reports, be sentenced next year.

  • 2 individuals sentenced to 32 months in prison each for deceit and fraud

    Two individuals, who deceived many by falsely promising enrollment in the Ghana Armed Forces, have each received a 32-month prison sentence from the Twedie District court in the Atwima Kwanwoma district.

    30-year-old excavator operator, Foster Gyimah, and Richard Boateng, a 22-year-old student, faced charges of conspiracy, fraud, and impersonating a public officer. Despite pleading not guilty, they were convicted and subsequently sentenced.

    The prosecution presented four witnesses whose testimonies aligned with the investigator’s findings and the case’s details, leading to the conviction.

    The case revolved around Simon Kwame Bonsu, a businessman and pastor in Pankrono, near Kumasi, where the defendants also lived. In 2021, Gyimah, posing as an Army Captain, offered to assist Bonsu in enlisting seven people into the Ghana Army.

    Bonsu introduced three of his relatives to Gyimah, each of whom was asked to pay GH¢5,000.00. Altogether, the complainant paid GH¢27,000.00 to Gyimah.

    Additionally, Gyimah introduced Boateng as the recruitment officer and collected GH¢27,400.00 from Bonsu.

    Following the monetary transactions, both individuals went into hiding, prompting Bonsu to report the case to the Suntreso police.

    In October 2022, the police apprehended Gyimah and Boateng in Obuasi. Subsequent investigations led to their charges and prosecution.

  • Court grants NAM1 GHS500m bail over fraud charges

    Court grants NAM1 GHS500m bail over fraud charges

    The CEO of the now-defunct Menzgold Ghana Limited, Nana Appiah Mensah, has been granted bail amounting to GH¢500 million, with four sureties required, and none of them needing to provide justification.

    As part of the bail conditions, he is also mandated to surrender his passport to the court registry.This decision follows Nana Appiah Mensah’s plea of not guilty to 39 counts of fraud and money laundering charges.

    He is currently on trial alongside Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult.

    Nana Appiah Mensah’s lawyer, Kwame Akuffo, requested that the court maintain the bail condition of GH¢5 million without the need for justification, which had been previously set at the circuit court before the state entered a nolle prosequi.

    The state, represented by Deputy Attorney General Alfred Tuah Yeboah, did not oppose the bail application. However, he requested that the accused be required to deposit his passport.

    Alfred Tuah Yeboah also urged the court to take into consideration the substantial amount of GH¢1.68 billion involved in the case.

    After reviewing the application, the judge granted bail in the amount of GH¢500 million with four sureties, none of whom are required to justify their bail. Additionally, Nana Appiah Mensah must report to the CID headquarters every Thursday as part of his bail conditions.

  • NAM 1 refutes 39 charges of fraud, money laundering; pleads not guilty in court

    NAM 1 refutes 39 charges of fraud, money laundering; pleads not guilty in court

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the now-defunct Menzgold Ghana Limited, Nana Appiah Mensah, has entered a plea of not guilty to face 39 charges brought against him.

    These charges relate to his alleged involvement in defrauding several Ghanaians to the tune of GHC 1.68 billion.

    During a court appearance on Tuesday, Nana Appiah Mensah, popularly referred to as NAM1, along with Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Consult, were collectively charged with 39 counts.

    These charges encompass 22 counts of defrauding by false pretense, seven counts each of money laundering and fraudulent breach of trust, along with additional counts for inducement to invest, operating an unlicensed deposit-taking institution, and selling gold without proper licensing.

    According to the case’s details, Nana Appiah Mensah, acting through Menzgold Ghana Limited and Brew Marketing Company, allegedly persuaded Menzgold customers to part with GHC 1.68 billion. Some of these funds, as indicated in the charge sheet, were transferred to personal accounts belonging to NAM1, Zylophone Media, and an individual named Abigail Mensah.

    Furthermore, Nana Appiah Mensah is accused of utilizing his media firm, Zylophone Media, to launder money that he knew to be proceeds of criminal activity.

    Mr. Appiah Mensah is facing a total of 36 charges, which include abetment, defrauding by false pretences, conducting deposit-taking business without a license, unlawful deposit-taking, money laundering, and other related offenses.

    Thus represents a reduction from the initial 61 charges that were filed against him, a change that occurred after Attorney General Godfred Yeboah Dame submitted new charges on August 30.

    The legal proceedings against NAM 1 commenced in 2019, with accusations of defrauding numerous customers through his gold dealership company, resulting in substantial financial losses.

    The case has encountered several adjournments until fresh charges were brought forward on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

    The amended charges followed Mr. Appiah Mensah’s announcement of intentions to release funds that had been locked up to Menzgold customers, contingent on the payment of approximately GH₵650 for verification purposes.

    However, he subsequently reversed his decision to require former clients to purchase a verification Access Card for transaction validation and claims verification, following strong opposition from his customers and the public.

  • Destooled Abuontemhene reportedly referred to Police for investigation

    Destooled Abuontemhene reportedly referred to Police for investigation

    It appears the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has not relented in his unwavering determination to root out corruption among particular chiefs in his region. 

    The Asantehene recently sanctioned a number of chiefs over various offenses including fraud and involvement in galamsey, by destooling them. 

    Otumfuo has taken the sanctions further by referring to a chief who has been cited for fraud to the police.

    The predicament of Nana Kwaku Duah III, the deposed Chief of Abuontem, seems to be worsening, as he is the chief in focus who has been referred to the police for potential prosecution due to his engagement in multiple land sales.

    Following extensive discussions on the issue, in which Nana Kwaku Duah III was given ample time to present his perspective and request leniency, he was ultimately pronounced guilty. As a result, he was swiftly dethroned and deprived of all privileges as per Asante tradition.

    Having completed the customary procedures regarding the Chief’s predicament, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II instructed that he be handed over to the police. This action was taken to enable his prosecution for his involvement in the various land sales.

    The Asantehene appears to have initiated a campaign to address chiefs within his realm who are involved in actions that are either culturally inappropriate or against the law.

    Several chiefs have suffered consequences for one act or another recently, especially with regard to land sales.

  • Prince Tagoe: Fraud case adjourned to August 30

    The Accra Circuit Court, handling the case involving former Black Stars player Prince Tagoe accused of a USD 40,000 fraud, has granted the accused an extension until August 30, 2023, to settle the remaining amount with the complainant, as per the complainant’s request.

    If the parties do not reach a settlement out of court, the Court, presided over by Mr. Bright Samuel Acquah, will proceed with the trial.

    The case has been adjourned to August 30, 2023.

    Background

    Prince Tagoe is currently on GH¢100,000 bail with three sureties, one of whom must be a civil servant. He is facing allegations of obtaining USD 40,000 from Mr. George Antwi Boateng, a fellow former footballer, with the promise of providing him with a 4X4 Lexus vehicle.

    The court has mandated that one of the sureties must provide proof of ownership of landed property.

    Prince Tagoe has denied the charges and has already paid GH¢129,000 out of the USD 40,000 (equivalent to GH¢265,200) he is alleged to have fraudulently obtained.

    The prosecution, led by Police Detective Chief Inspector Agartha Abena Asantewaa, previously informed the court that both Tagoe and Boateng were based in Germany, and Tagoe had been under the management of the complainant.

    According to the prosecution, in 2020, the two met in Ghana, where Boateng expressed his need for a 4X4 Lexus vehicle.

    Tagoe allegedly agreed to import the vehicle for Boateng at a cost of USD 40,000 (equivalent to GH¢265,200).

    USD 40,000 was deposited into Tagoe’s bank account on January 8, 2021, with acknowledgment through a phone call.

    Tagoe promised to deliver the vehicle by March 30, 2021, but failed to do so.

    After multiple delays and excuses, including a claim that he had spent the money on other matters, Tagoe was unable to fulfill the agreement.

    The case remains under investigation, and the court has provided an opportunity for resolution between the parties before the set date.

  • BoG pushes banks, others to boost technological investments against financial fraud

    BoG pushes banks, others to boost technological investments against financial fraud

    The Bank of Ghana is urging banks and all players in the financial services sector to boost their technological investments to combat the increasing incidents of fraud in the banking industry. This measure aims to bridge the technology gap between bankers and certain customers, thereby addressing the menace effectively.

    Head of Financial Stability at the Bank of Ghana, Dr. Joseph France, emphasized that conducting risk assessments is crucial to safeguard the banking sector. He spoke to journalists after participating in the opening of a three-day Enterprise-wide Risk Assessment training organized by the Ghana International Bank.

    Furthermore, the Bank of Ghana is committed to strengthening its Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime and actively engaging in the global fight against cross-border financial crime. The national authorities are creating a conducive environment that promotes sound management of financial crime risk by financial intermediaries.

    Over the past decade, efforts at the national level have been directed towards enhancing legal and regulatory frameworks, innovation, domestic and cross-border cooperation, among other measures, to address deficiencies identified during successive national risk assessments and mutual evaluations.

    Recent interventions have resulted in the development of a national AML/CFT policy, including the review of the national risk assessment, the enactment of a consolidated anti-money laundering law, and strengthening the Financial Intelligence Center with essential resources.

    On the regulatory front, the Bank of Ghana has successfully completed several national-level initiatives. These encompass implementing a risk-based supervision approach, introducing a sanction regime, issuing AML/CFT & P guidelines for accountable institutions to utilize the Ghana Card for due diligence processes, and providing supervisory guidance notes in this regard since the previous year.

  • EOCO goes after Momo fraudsters after signing MOU with Mobile Money Ltd

    EOCO goes after Momo fraudsters after signing MOU with Mobile Money Ltd

    The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and Mobile Money Limited, a division of the world’s largest telecoms company, MTN, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to increase their cooperation in the fight against mobile money fraud and other fraudulent online activities.

    The MoU aims to encourage cooperation in areas like information sharing on trends and patterns of scams, creating training manuals to increase investigators’ capacity, coordinating investigations, and looking into ways to improve the effectiveness of creating robust dockets for prosecuting offender

    Criminals

    At a quick signing ceremony yesterday at the EOCO headquarters in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Mobile Money Limited, Shiabu Haruna, initialed for his company while the Executive Director for EOCO, Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Yaa Tiwa Addo Danquah, initialed for hers.

    Mrs. Addo Danquah declared before the agreement was signed that EOCO was dedicated to working with all stakeholders to stay one step ahead of criminals.

    “If the criminals are working together, what about those of us who are fighting them,” she asked.

    She disclosed that the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has successfully obtained convictions for certain criminals involved in SIM swap fraud, with assistance from telecommunication service providers and the banking industry.

    “The conviction should send a signal to perpetrators that you cannot get away with such crimes,” she said.

    She claimed that while using digital financial services and transactions had “made life simple for us in terms of making payments and transferring money, some criminals have taken advantage of that to swindle unwary individuals.

    “If the criminals are working together, what about those of us who are fighting them,” she asked.

    She disclosed that the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has successfully obtained convictions for certain criminals involved in SIM swap fraud, with assistance from telecommunication service providers and the banking industry.

    “The conviction should send a signal to perpetrators that you cannot get away with such crimes,” she said.

    She claimed that while using digital financial services and transactions had “made life simple for us in terms of making payments and transferring money, some criminals have taken advantage of that to swindle unwary individuals.

    How do we stop them?”  

    According to the MOU, she stated that Mobile Money Limited will exchange information about vulnerabilities and things to watch out for when developing new products with EOCO in order to enable investigators know what to watch out for when handling cases. EOCO would also receive training support from Mobile Money Limited.

    Protection

    Mr. Haruna claimed that the collaboration would aid the company in better safeguarding its clients from national internet fraud.

    “Mobile money has become an integral part of our lives as individuals and businesses but we are saddled with issues of fraud that have permeated the services.

    We will use the partnership to combat the increasing rate of financial crimes,” he said.

    He pointed to a recent Bank of Ghana report on digital financial services fraud and claimed it indicated an increase in cases recorded between 2021 and 2022.

    According to the research, a sizeable sum of GH 26 million was lost via Electronic Money Issues (EMIs), representing a roughly 103% increase in financial crime.

    “This shows that there is some value that our customers are losing to organised and financial crime and it is our responsibility to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book,” said Mr Haruna.

    He said the two organisations would work together to fight emerging crimes in relation to financial crime.

    “As a leading provider of digital financial service, we owe it to our customers to collaborate and support the fight against crime and ensure our customers have a safe environment to conduct their business and personal transactions,” he said.

  • Star Steels Limited CEO wanted over alleged GHS100,500 fraud

    Star Steels Limited CEO wanted over alleged GHS100,500 fraud

    A bench warrant has been issued by the Accra Circuit Court for the arrest of a businessman, Mr. Kwadwo Fosu, who is accused of defrauding Star Steels Limited.

    The 45-year-old man allegedly obtained iron rods worth GH₵100,500.00 from the company, claiming that he would pay through the Agricultural Development Bank. However, he failed to do so.

    Mr. Fosu faces charges of defrauding by false pretenses, issuing a false cheque, and failing to appear before the Court for his plea to be taken.

    Police Chief Inspector Agartha Abena Asantewaa sought the bench warrant after the accused person repeatedly failed to appear before the Court despite several attempts.

    According to the facts presented to the Court, Mr. Isaac Amo represented Star Steels Limited and lived in Nsawam, while the accused person, Mr. Fosu, was the Chief Executive Officer of Fosu Gyeabour Transport and Training Enterprise, residing in Berekum.

    On October 14, 2021, the accused purchased iron rods worth GH₵220,000.00 from Star Steels Limited. He made a partial payment of GH₵119,550.00 and issued post-dated Agricultural Development Bank cheques to cover the remaining balance, but the cheques bounced when presented to the bank.

    Following this incident, the complainant sought assistance from the police, leading to an investigation.

    It was revealed that Mr. Fosu had issued post-dated cheques of GH₵100,500.00 to the complainant, intending to use them as part payment, but the specified bank accounts did not have sufficient funds.

    The case has been adjourned to August 16, 2023, and the Court has now issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Mr. Kwadwo Fosu.

  • Inusah Fuesini unwaveringly stands by his son despite US fraud conviction

    Inusah Fuesini unwaveringly stands by his son despite US fraud conviction

    A former member of parliament for Tamale Central, has attested to the innocence of his son Abdul Fuseini, who was given a two-year prison sentence by a US court.

    The former minister for environment, science, and technology claimed during an appearance on Citi TV’s Face to Face that he knows Abdul Inusah too well to think that he is guilty of indulging in fraud.

    “I support my son 110%, I know him. I know Abdul Hamid, I know he can be boisterous but I don’t know him to be somebody who will be interested in other people’s things,” he said.

    According to him, the circumstance around the issue makes him believe that Abdul was caught up in stupidity by seeking to enter into a business while schooling in the US.

    “Well, it is a difficult thing, it is very difficult. I mean you train your child, bring up your child to be a useful and responsible person. You sit down with him at night and in the day to talk about what decent life is, you try to infuse in him what hard work can do but we are of different generations.

    “It is difficult to talk about him because deep inside me, deep inside me I think he was just caught by stupidity and nothing or some level of invincibility. As a student he had his document so he decided to register a company. I never sanctioned that, I believe that if you are sent to school to learn you must concentrate on your studies and I told him that. Now that obviously as a young man he thought he could make quick bucks so he registered a company and he was actually buying cars for people. I know many people in Ghana that he bought cars for. In this particular case, he bought a car for some guys from Nigeria who were fellow students, colleague students and it turned out that the money used to buy the car was obtained fraudulently and that was his offense,” he said.

    32-year-old Abdul Inusah has been sentenced to a two-year prison term following his conviction in connection with a fraudulent scheme based in Huntington. This scheme involved deceiving individuals across multiple states through the use of deceptive online personas.

    According to information obtained by Ghana Web, Abdul Inusah has also been mandated to pay $128,000 in restitution.

    The trial, which lasted for three days, was concluded by a federal jury as stated in a press release from the US Attorney’s Office Southern District of West Virginia, dated Thursday, March 23, 2023. The release outlined that Abdul Inusah was found guilty for his involvement in a conspiracy that exploited victims through fabricated identities via email, text messaging, online dating websites, and social media platforms.

    Despite the conviction, Abdul Inusah’s father, Inusah Fuseini, a private legal practitioner, stands firm in his belief in his son’s innocence and extends unwavering support. He has revealed that an appeal has already been filed against the sentence.

  • Tolon MP debunks forgery allegations; threatens to take action against persons claiming otherwise 

    Tolon MP debunks forgery allegations; threatens to take action against persons claiming otherwise 

    Member of Parliament for Tolon, Habib Iddrisu, has debunked allegations of forgery made against him in Australia.

    The accusations came to light when Yaw Brogya Genfi, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth Organiser, filed a writ at the Supreme Court seeking to annul Habib Iddrisu’s election as the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for the Tolon constituency.

    In the writ, Brogya Genfi claimed that the MP had been convicted of fraud and forgery in Australia, making him ineligible to contest the Ghanaian election at the time he filed his nomination.

    According to the writ filed on November 7, 2023, Mr. Iddrisu pleaded guilty and was convicted by the Perth Magistrates Court on November 28, 2011.

    During a recent appearance on the Big Issues show on July 16, the Tolon MP was confronted about the case by lawyer Martin Kpebu.

    In response, Habib Iddrisu asserted, “There is no case against me.” However, Martin Kpebu reminded the MP of the eligibility issue, stating, “They said you are not eligible. You were convicted in Australia for something.”

    Expressing his frustration, the Tolon MP firmly denied being found guilty in any court of competent jurisdiction and expressed disappointment in Martin Kpebu’s remarks.

    Habib Iddrisu warned, “He has mentioned a certain statement, and I’m telling you that I’m going to take action based on this record. You said I was convicted in Australia and that there is a case against me. The point is, have I been found guilty in any court of competent jurisdiction. I’m very disappointed in you. If you don’t withdraw it now, I will take action.”

    The MP further emphasized, “You cannot sit down here and make reckless and stupid comments. To the best of my knowledge, I have not been declared guilty at any court.”

  • Evangelist accused of fraud granted GHS50k bail

    Evangelist accused of fraud granted GHS50k bail

    Reverend Joseph Botchwey, a 73-year-old evangelist, has been granted bail by an Accra Circuit Court after allegedly defrauding a businessman of GH₵15,000.

    The Reverend promised to sell a Hyundai Accent Saloon car to the businessman but failed to deliver. Additionally, he is accused of issuing a Cal Bank cheque of GH₵13,000 despite knowing that there were insufficient funds in the account.

    During the court proceedings, Reverend Botchwey pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding by false pretense and issuing a false cheque.

    The presiding judge, Mr. Joojo Amoah Hagan, granted the accused bail in the amount of GH₵50,000 with two sureties. One of the sureties is required to provide proof of ownership of landed property. The case has been adjourned until August 8, 2023.

    According to the prosecution, the complainant, Mr. Yaw Agyare Danquah, is a businessman residing in Kwabenya, while Reverend Botchwey lives in Lartebiokorshie.

    In May 2022, the accused offered his Hyundai Accent Saloon car for sale, and the complainant expressed interest. On May 4, 2022, the accused requested a payment of GH₵15,500 from the complainant, which was duly paid.

    The accused then instructed the complainant to return at 4:00 PM on the same day to collect the vehicle.

    It said the complainant later came to take the vehicle and the accused person started playing hide and seek with him. 

    The prosecution said the complainant became fed up and asked for a refund of his money which the accused person then issued two Cal Bank cheques with face value GH₵13,000.00 to be cash out on his said bank on November 28, 2022. 

    “However, when the cheques were presented to the bank, they were dishonored as the accused person had no money with the bank,” the prosecution added. 

    It said a report was made to the Police and the accused person was arrested. 

  • Fraudsters steal N472m from bank customers in 3 months – Report

    Fraudsters steal N472m from bank customers in 3 months – Report

    An innovation and research firm FITC, has reported that fraudulent activities has cost Nigerian bank customers N472 million in the first three months of 2023.

    Additionally, it was revealed that 12,553 fraud incidents in total were reported throughout this time.

    This was according to the Q1 report that The PUNCH downloaded from the FITC website.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, and all licensed banks in Nigeria are members of the Nigerian Banker’s Committee, which also includes FITC’s institutional members.

    FITC’s data indicates a significant decrease in losses when compared to fraudulent banking activities in Q4 2022. In that quarter, a total of N3.18 billion was lost to fraudsters across banking platforms. However, in Q1 2023, the losses reduced by 85.13 percent.

    The report from FITC also highlights a considerable decrease in the total amount involved in fraud cases in Q1 2023 compared to the previous quarter. The amount decreased by 79.44 percent, declining from N12.58 billion to N2.59 billion.

    Furthermore, the total number of reported fraud cases in Q1 2023 decreased by 14.07 percent. A total of 12,553 cases were reported in the first quarter of the year, compared to 14,609 cases in the preceding quarter.

    The report also notes that the most common avenues for fraud were mobile, computer/web, and Point of Sale (PoS) transactions. This trend aligns with the pattern observed in the previous quarter.

    “For Q1 2023 under review, an analysis of the magnitude-based ranking of fraud categories shows that mobile fraud has the highest ranking which accounts for N1.1bn (42.72 per cent), and this is followed by the computer/web fraud category at N646m (24.99 per cent). This was followed by PoS fraud at N450m (17.41 per cent) and fraudulent withdrawals at N139m (5.36 per cent),” the report indicated.

    The statistics also showed that, of the total amount lost in Q1, 2023, mobile fraud accounted for 34.07 percent at N161 million, followed by computer/web fraud at N130 million and fraudulent withdrawals at N116 million.

  • Bail denied for suspect in GHC200K recruitment scam

    Bail denied for suspect in GHC200K recruitment scam

    A businessman accused of orchestrating a GHC200,000 recruitment scam, has been denied bail by an Accra Circuit Court.

    Emmanuel Goodluck Asempa, is currently held in custody for promising to assist some individuals in getting enlistment in some security services.

    The lawyer of the accused, Robert Pappoe, according to the report, prayed for the court to grant bail to his client who is pending the trial.

    The lawyer argued that the accused has a permanent residence and would be available for all court proceedings.

    He furthermore stated that the charges leveled against his client were bailable, and he had individuals willing to act as sureties.

    However, when asked for his digital address, the accused person was unable to provide them.

    The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Frimpong, objected to the grant of bail, indicating that numerous complainants from various regions had come forward against the accused person.

    Hence the increasing prevalence of recruitment scams and urged the court to address the issue promptly.

    ASP Frimpong requested a one-week adjournment for ongoing investigations.

    The prosecution acknowledged that the accused person had the constitutional right to seek bail; however, they argued that these rights should be balanced with the rights of society.

    The court presided over by Judge Isaac Addo sided with the prosecution and instructed them to expedite their investigations.

    The matter has been adjourned until July 10.

    Asempa stands accused of collecting sums ranging from GH¢5,000 to GH¢10,000 from individuals, promising to secure their enrollment in security agencies such as the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and Ghana National Fire Service.

    According to reports, Asempa allegedly collected the money in 2020 from a farmer and an Osu resident before going into hiding. However, he was apprehended on June 14, 2023.

    Asempa has pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding by false pretenses.

  • Former 2020 NPP parliamentary candidate aspirant apprehended for theft and fraud

    Former 2020 NPP parliamentary candidate aspirant apprehended for theft and fraud

    Vincent Acheampong, who is a self-styled car dealer, currently faces multiple charges at the Suame Divisional Police Command as well as the Ashanti Regional Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for his criminal activities.

    The suspect, who has multiple cases lodged against him by his victims in various parts of the country, was arrested at his hideout around Breman UGC, a suburb of Kumasi, after playing several months of hide-and-seek with the security agencies that have been on a manhunt for him.

    His modus operandi was taking vehicles from prominent car dealers under the guise of selling them on their behalf and then absconding with no trace of either the money or the vehicles.

    In a case in point, he is confirmed to have taken a vehicle belonging to a Tamale-based journalist, traded it, and taken a vehicle belonging to a Kumasi-based businessman with the promise of topping him up. Vincent Acheampong, who is also a former NPP Constituency Executive for Offinso North, went into hiding, and despite several attempts to retrieve the cross-country vehicle in question, they proved futile. When pressure was mounted on him to produce the vehicles, he issued a number of cheques with a face value of GHC190,000. The cheques were dishonoured by the respective banks because the accounts were dormant.

    An official complaint was lodged with the Suame Police, who, after several months of trailing, arrested him on Monday, June 19, 2023.

  • Fraudulent activities in the Financial sector drops to GHS56m in 2022 – BoG report

    Fraudulent activities in the Financial sector drops to GHS56m in 2022 – BoG report

    In 2022, Ghana’s banking industry and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDI) lost roughly GH56 million, a 7.88 percent decrease from the GH61 million reported in 2021.

    However, the number of attempted fraud cases for the banking and SDI sectors in 2022 increased to 2,998, as compared to 2,347 cases in 2021, which is a 27.74 percent increase.

    This was the disclosure made in the 2022 trends and statistics of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) BANKs, SDIs and Payment Service Providers (PSPs) fraud report, covering January 1 to December 31, 2022.

    It was observed that forgery and manipulation of documents, fraudulent withdrawals, cheque fraud, cyber/email and cash theft (cash suppression), were the major drivers (top five) fraud typologies that impacted most of the financial institutions.

    Forgery and manipulation of documents emerged as the prominent fraud typology, recording the highest loss of GH¢33 million.

    Money fraudulently withdrawn from customers’ accounts resulted in GH¢7 million losses, most of which the Central Bank observed involved staff of banks and SDIs, while cheque fraud, arising from cloned cheques accounted for a loss value of GH¢5 million.

    The report indicated that the fraud cases involving staff decreased to 188 in 2022, as compared to 278 in 2021.

    “Most of the incidents recorded involving staff had to do with cash theft (cash suppression) from customers’ accounts and happened to be a very common fraud typology in the Rural and Community banking sector,” the report said.

    “While staff involvement in fraud persists, the numbers have started trending downwards as a result of strict sanctions imposed by the Bank of Ghana and strong advocacy for improved controls by the sector institutions,” the report stated.

    To address the rise in fraudulent cases and losses recorded among Banks and SDI, BoG directed that Banks should immediately communicate fraud cases in their institutions to the Bank of Ghana and the Ghana Association of Banks to alert all others on the approaches deployed to avoid recurrence.

    Banks and SDIs were also directed to increase the level of fraud sensitisation to their customers and constantly review the adequacy and operating effectiveness of their risk management (credit risk) and internal control frameworks to detect fraud and other financial crimes within their institutions.

    Also, the Central Bank asked Banks and SDIs to report financial crime including all cash theft (cash suppression) cases to the Ghana Police Service and update the Bank of Ghana until the case is closed.

    The fraud report, published by the Bank of Ghana seeks to inform the general banking public of fraud trends.

    The report reflects trends in fraud typologies observed in relation to services provided by Banks, Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs) and Payment Service Providers (PSPs), and measures the Bank of Ghana is taking to address them and promote the integrity of the banking system.

  • GHS26m lost due to MoMo fraud in 2022 – BoG

    GHS26m lost due to MoMo fraud in 2022 – BoG

    A total amount of GH¢27 million was lost as a result of mobile money fraud incidents recorded by Payment Service Providers (PSPs) in 2022, according to the Bank of Ghana.

    In its 2022 Fraud Report for Banks, SDIs and PSPs, the Central Bank however noted that the figure decreased to approximately GH¢26 million due to some recoveries made.

    Per the report, the value of loss in 2022 increased significantly as compared to a loss of GH¢12 million in 2021, representing an increase of 117%.

    In contrast, the number of mobile money fraud cases saw a marginal decrease. A total of 12,166 cases were recorded in 2022, as against 12,350 cases recorded in 2021.

    According to the BoG, mobile money fraud has become very predominant, especially, to the vulnerable who mostly are unable to read.

    “The aged and uneducated users of mobile money are not very conversant with the application. They would usually handover the phone to other people to do transactions on their behalf. Their PINs are compromised since they have to give it out to a third party to do the transaction,” the Central Bank explained.

    The BoG further revealed that there is a lack of attention to security by most people in using the mobile money application.

    “Also a general lack of security awareness has largely contributed to victims easily falling prey to fraudsters. Some users of mobile money do not periodically change their PIN making them easily prone to fraudsters,” the report added.

    To address this, the Bank of Ghana has engaged the financial entities to put in stringent measures to mitigate the impact of this fraudulent activity.

    The Bank of Ghana has advised that the sensitization programmes should be in multiple local languages to enable the vulnerable, in particular, and the public in general to
    appreciate it.

    NOTICE NO. BOG GOV SEC 2023 08 Banks SDIs and PSPs Fraud Report 2022 Trends and Statistics FSD by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Banks, MoMo accounts, others lose GH¢82m to fraudsters in 2022 – BoG

    Banks, MoMo accounts, others lose GH¢82m to fraudsters in 2022 – BoG

    Fraudsters managed to steal GH¢82 million from various financial institutions in Ghana in 2022, according to a report by the Bank of Ghana (BoG).

    The report covers the fraud incidents and losses recorded by banks, specialised deposit-taking institutions (SDIs) and payment service providers (PSPs), which include mobile money operators.

    Out of the total amount stolen, GH¢56 million came from banks and SDIs, while GH¢26 million came from mobile money accounts.

    The report reveals that the number of fraud incidents decreased slightly from 15,350 in 2021 to 15,164 in 2022, but the value of losses increased by 7.88% from GH¢61 million in 2021 to GH¢82 million in 2022.

    The report also identifies the top five fraud methods that caused the most losses in 2022. They are:

    • Forgery and manipulation of documents: Fraudsters created or altered documents to deceive financial institutions and customers. This method accounted for GH¢33 million of the losses, a 334.99% increase from GH¢7 million in 2021. Most of the cases involved universal banks (commercial banks).
    • Fraudulent withdrawals: Fraudsters accessed customers’ accounts and wallets without their consent and withdrew money. This method accounted for GH¢7 million of the losses, a 1039.09% increase from GH¢620,000 in 2021. Most of the cases involved the banking sector.
    • Cheque fraud: Fraudsters used fake or altered cheques to withdraw money from accounts. This method accounted for GH¢5.1 million of the losses, a 1254.46% increase from GH¢370,000 in 2021. Most of the cases involved universal banks and rural and community banks.
    • Cyber/email fraud: Fraudsters sent malicious emails to trick recipients into giving up sensitive information or transferring money to them. This method accounted for GH¢4.3 million of the losses, a 65.55% increase from GH¢2.6 million in 2021. Most of the cases targeted universal banks.
    • Cash theft/cash suppression: Fraudsters stole cash from customers’ accounts or suppressed cash deposits by staff. This method accounted for GH¢3.9 million of the losses, a 7.12% decrease from GH¢4.2 million in 2021. Most of the cases occurred in the SDI sector, especially rural and community banks.

    Other fraud methods that caused smaller losses included impersonation, ATM/card fraud, lending/credit fraud, burglary and remittances.

    The report also shows that 188 bank staff were involved in fraud cases in 2022, a decrease from 278 in 2021. Most of them were involved in cash theft or suppression.

    The BoG said that the report aims to provide an overview of the fraud situation in Ghana’s financial sector and to inform stakeholders on how to prevent and combat fraud.

    NOTICE NO. BOG GOV SEC 2023 08 Banks SDIs and PSPs Fraud Report 2022 Trends and Statistics FSD by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    Source: The Independent Ghana