Police hunt down suspect in GH¢ 100,000 fraudulent online vehicle sale syndicate

The Central East Regional Police Command has launched a manhunt for a suspect believed to be part of an alleged online vehicle sale syndicate that defrauded a victim of more than GH¢100,000 through a fake car import scheme advertised on social media.

According to a police statement issued on June 17, 2026, two suspects, identified as Chidubem Oba Precious, 31, and Ama Mankye, 28, have already been arrested in connection with the case, while a third suspect, Theresa Ziam, remains at large.

The arrests followed a complaint lodged with the Kasoa District Police Command on February 10, 2026, by a victim who claimed to have been defrauded after responding to a TikTok advertisement for the sale of a Jetour hybrid vehicle.

"The Central East Regional Police command on 12th June 2026, arrested suspect Chidubem Oba Precious, aged 31, and Ama Mankye, aged 28, for defrauding a victim of an amount of One Hundred Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty-three Ghana Cedis (Gh¢ 100,323.00) through a fraudulent online vehicle sale scheme advertised on a social media platform," the police statement said.

Two arrested over online vehicle fraud

Police said the vehicle was advertised under the name of a company called "Shipper China Qinghai Hongmeng Automobile Sale" at a cost of $8,800.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the complainant made two separate payments on December 9 and December 18, 2025, amounting to GH¢46,895 and GH¢53,428 respectively, into bank accounts bearing the names Ama Mankye and Theresa Ziam.

After the payments were made, the victim was issued with a bill of lading purportedly relating to the shipment of the vehicle. However, investigations later established that the document was fake.

Police investigations led to the arrest of Chidubem Oba Precious on June 12, 2026, at Adawukwa, a suburb of Bawjiase in the Central Region.

A search conducted at his residence reportedly uncovered an ATM card and a mobile SIM card registered in the name of Ama Mankye, as well as a receipt linked to payments made by the complainant.

Subsequent investigations led officers to arrest Ama Mankye at Agbogba in Accra.

According to police, Ama Mankye deliberately opened a bank account in her name to facilitate the transfer of funds from the complainant to Chidubem Oba Precious and was allegedly paid GH¢1,000 for her role in the transaction.

The two suspects were arraigned before the Ofaakor Circuit Court on June 15, 2026.

The court remanded Chidubem Oba Precious into police custody, while Ama Mankye was granted bail in the sum of GH¢70,000 with one surety to be justified by landed property.

They are expected to reappear before the court on June 29, 2026.

Meanwhile, police say efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest Theresa Ziam, who is believed to have played a role in the alleged fraud.

The Central East Regional Police Command has appealed to members of the public who may have fallen victim to similar online vehicle sale scams involving the suspects to report to the Regional Command or the nearest police station.

Police also reiterated their commitment to pursuing individuals involved in online fraud and bringing them to justice.



VPO