Travel and Tour Operator remanded for fraud

Accra, Oct.5 GNA - Salaau Omar, a Travel and Tour Operator at Nima, on Tuesday appeared before an Accra Circuit Court for defrauding two businesswomen in the sum of 7,800 dollars under the pretext of securing them British Visa.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges of defrauding and the Court presided over by Mr Williwise Kyeremeh remanded him into prison custody to re-appear on October 11.

Prosecuting, Paul K. Frimpong, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the complainants were Susanna Ababio, a Businesswoman and Catherine Numbuo, an Administrative Officer, while the accused was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mawersma Travel and Tours located at Maamobi, Accra.

He said in September 2003, Ababio, who was in need of a UK Visa for her son, contacted Numbuo, who introduced Omar as somebody who could help her.

ASP Frimpong said the accused charged 3,000 dollars as the cost for the acquisition of the Visa, but Ababio was able to pay 2,000 dollars through Numbuo but Omar failed to honour his promise.

The Prosecutor also noted that Ababio after fruitless effort to get the Visa reported Numbuo to the Police, who arrested him. He said Numbuo also led the Police to Omar as the one who received the money and he was arrested.

Omar admitted having received the money and refunded 1,300 dollars, leaving 700 dollars.

ASP Frimpong further said during investigations, Numbuo also made a report against Omar of defrauding her of 5,800 dollars to secure UK Visa for one Nasiru Salifu, which the accused also admitted.