Couple in court for defrauding Businessman

A Couple who allegedly defrauded a businessman of 40,000 dollars under the pretext of selling him their house at Sakumono but failed to do so on Monday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court charged with fraud.

Felicia Bentil and Maxwell Owusu Frimpong are said to have sold their house, which had been confiscated and auctioned by IFS, a micro finance company in Accra.

Charged with conspiracy to defraud and defrauding by false pretences, Felicia and Maxwell pleaded not guilty.

The court presided over by Ms Ellen Vivian Amoah has admitted the two accused persons to bail in the sum of GH¢200,000.00 each with three sureties each.

The sureties, the court said are to be public servants earning GH¢600.00 as net.

The matter has been adjourned to July 20.

Prosecuting Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) A.A. Annor said Mr. Alex Kwadwo Sarpong is a businessman, residing at Sakumono in Accra, and that, the couple also reside in the same vicinity and knew the complainant.

In February 2013, DSP Annor said Felicia confided in Mr. Sarpong that they wanted to sell their house, house number CI 3A/ D63 at Sakumono near Friday’s restaurant, at the cost of 75,000 dollars.

During the negotiation, DSP Annor said they agreed that the complainant should pay 40,000 dollars as part payment and the rest paid in six months, and that, in the presence of Felicia the complainant paid 40,000 dollars to Maxwell.

Later, DSP Annor said the complainant after paying the money discovered that Felicia had used the money to secure a loan at IFS and had defaulted in paying and as such the house had been confiscated and auctioned.

The couple admitted using Mr. Sarpong’s money as collateral and promised to refund it but they failed to do so.