Two people charged with fraud

Two people who allegedly defrauded a driver of 30 million cedis under the pretext of acquiring him a US visa on Friday appeared before an Accra circuit court on two counts of conspiracy and fraud.

Kwame Osei alias Kotoko, a vulcaniser and his accomplice Fuseini Mahama Ali alias Champion, a businessman pleaded not guilty.

The court chaired by Mr Williwise Kyeremeh admitted them to 50 million cedis bail each with two sureties and ordered them to report to the police twice a week.

They would reappear on December 12.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Benedicta Akolgo said in October this year, Mr Elizer Kweku Antwi, a driver and complainant in the case, wanted to travel abroad.

She said Antwi was introduced to Osei by Joseph Ampadu to assist him (Antwi) to secure American Immigration visa. Osei collected five million cedis from Antwi to process the visa, Osei who failed to secure the visa asked Ali to assist with the processing of the visa. She said Ali also collected an additional 25 million cedis from Antwi but could not secure the visa.

The Prosecution said Antwi, asked Ali to refund the 25 million cedis but Ali gave Antwi some money which he (Ali), said was 14 million cedis in a red bag that was later found to contain bundles of white papers neatly cut to the size of five and two thousand cedis notes covered by genuine notes.

She said three days later, Ali went to Antwi's house with a box which he (Ali) claimed contained defaced cedi notes totalling 150 million cedis but would need some money to purchase some chemicals to print the contents of the box for him (Antwi).

Prosecution said Antwi who feigned interest in the deal alerted the police and on November 10, this year, Ali agreed to meet Antwi at Sakaman, an Accra suburb for the money and during the transaction Ali was arrested.