"Susu" fraudsters granted bail

Cape Coast, Aug. 31, GNA-Two alleged "susu" fraudsters who took a total sum of GH¢60,764 from unsuspecting people with the false promise of 1000% interest were on Monday granted a GH¢200,000 bail each with two sureties to be justified, by a circuit court in Cape Coast. The pleas of Samuel Kwesi Bentil, Nana Fynn, Director and accountant respectively of "Eburowaba Susu Network", a non-banking company, were not taken and are to report to the police three times in a week.

They have been charged with operating a bank without authority from the Bank of Ghana (BOG) and defrauding by false pretences. In the dock with them were ten others who allegedly served as agents for the company, and were also granted GH¢100,000 each, also with two sureties.

They are Yaw Anamoah Eghan, James Lolormi, Gabriel Govina Godfried, Samuel Arthur, George Ato Annan, Francis Kwofie, Evelyn Arthur, Joseph Korankye, Kwesi Siaw and Victoria Anto. They are all to re-appear on Tuesday, September 15.

The presiding Judge, Mr. Richard Asiedu-Badu urged counsel for Bentil and Fynn to advise their clients to sell the assets of the company to defray part of their indebtedness to the 'customers' who are mostly traders.

Giving the facts of the case, Chief Inspector Francis Ockom said Bentil and Fynn advertised in both the electronic and print media for people to deposit money with the company based in Cape Coast, with the promise that their deposit would attract 1,000% interest after three months.

He alleged that a lot of people became convinced and joined the scheme and that the two men, later contracted the agents who went round and selling the idea resulting in the collection of a total of GH¢60, 764.00 as deposits.

He said branches of the company were also opened in Agona Swedru, Dunkwa-on-Offin, Obuasi and Mankessim in the Central Region. Chief Inspector Ockom also alleged that after three months, Bentil and Fynn failed to pay the interest as promised to the 'customers'. He said all efforts made by the 'customers' to get back their principals also proved futile.

"The matter was reported to the police and the suspects were arrested while nine vehicles of the company were also seized.