Money transfer fraudster nabbed

A 25-year-old painter suspected of being a con artist, has been arrested by the police for allegedly stealing pin codes of people receiving money transfers and sending them (pin codes) to a friend to withdraw the moneys from another bank.

Joseph Afrifa Gyesor was apprehended after he had purportedly succeeded in sending the pin code of one of his victims through his mobile telephone to his supposed accomplice at a bank at Abeka Lapaz, a suburb of Accra.

The victim, who was told by the teller that his money had been cashed in another bank, immediately suspected Joseph who was then watching him while he was filling his forms and caused his arrest

He was immediately handed over to the Tesano police for questioning.

When his mobile phone was searched, a number of pin codes believed to belong to other victims, were found to have been sent to the same accomplice, currently at large.

Four persons have since reported a similar matter to the police.

Confirming the story to DAILY GUIDE, DSP Edward Tetteh, Tesano District Police Commander, said Joseph Afrifa was apprehended by one of his victims at the Global Access Bank at Abeka Lapaz and handed over to the police.

Later three other victims also followed up to the station to give their statements.

The modus operandi of the suspect, believed to be working as a team, is visiting any of the banks that operate Western Union money transfer.

When an unsuspected customer arrives and is filling the forms for the collection of their monies, the suspect also pretends to be filling his form and then copies the pin code of that person.

He then sends it to his other accomplice who will then be in another bank waiting to immediately cash the money.

By the time the victim finishes filling their form and tender it to the tellers, the money might have been withdrawn in another bank already.

DSP Edward Tetteh urged customers to report suspicious characters at the banking halls to the bank officials.

Meanwhile, Joseph Afrifa Gyesor is being prepared for court as investigations continue.