Pensioner defrauded 5,000 dollars for visa

Tema, July 30, GNA- An operations officer of a shipping company who defrauded a pensioner of five thousand US dollars for visa has been granted 100 million cedis bail with one surety by the Tema circuit court 'B'.

Festus Osei Akyeampong pleaded not guilty and will re-appear on August 13, 2004.

DSP Robert Aganiba, prosecuting told the court that sometime in 2002, at Tema Community seven, the complainant was introduced to the accused's brother who was living abroad to secure an American visa for the complainant's son.

The brother of the accused left message that all monies must be passed through Akyeampong.

He said Akyeampong and one Pastor Apraku, now at large, charged complainant 5,200 dollars.

Later Apraku also introduced one Kwame, also at large to complainant as the manager working on the visa.

DSP Aganiba said Akyeampong having been informed by the complainant of Kwame's involvement in the visa procurement, again insisted that all the money that should be paid must pass through him (Akyeampong), and later Kwame showed a photo copy of the alleged American visa, bearing the name of the complainant's son.

He said Kwame subsequently demanded the last bit payment of 2,200 dollars, which was paid to him through Akyeampong.

The prosecution said earlier 3,000 dollars had been paid through Akyeampong to pastor Apraku.

The visa was not produced and a report was made to the police