2 Nigerians busted for $800,000 gold fraud

Two Nigerians posing as Ghanaians have been arrested for defrauding a German of more than US$800,000.

According to the Police, between August, 2011 and 2012, suspects Mark Adijum Latif alias Mark Adjei, Taefeek Oluwashola Ajisafe alias Benjamin K. Osei and three others, who are currently at large, claiming to be doing gold mining in large scale in Ghana lured Waltraus Wiescent, a German into Ghana to do business in gold.

DCOP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, Greater Accra regional Police Commander speaking to the press, Sunday said the suspects alleged that one Chris Walter, another gold dealer was arrested by the police for dealing in gold without permit and that €375, 000.00 was needed for his release and also to obtain permit from minerals commission of Ghana.

“The suspects showed the complainant two boxes alleged to be containing gold valued USD$120 million and cash of USD$125 million,” DCOP Yohuno said.

The suspects, according to the police, gave an ECOBANK account number 0011034438080003, belonging to Universal Perfectwoods Company Ltd, and Guarantee Trust Bank account number 202110823430 belonging to Patrick Osei Aboagye for Waltraus Wiescent to pay €248,157.91 and £350,000.00 into the accounts.

The suspects promised the victim that if Chris Walter was released and the permit obtained, they would transfer the two boxes of gold and dollars into her accounts in Germany.

Waltraus Wiescent upon that assurance paid the amounts of €248, 157.91 and £350,000.00 into the account provided by the suspects.

The suspects, however, failed to honour their promise which led to the victim lodging a complaint with the police and the subsequent arrest of the suspects.

The police have commenced investigations into the matter.