Dutch fraudster held

A Dutch, Pierre Corrias, 50, resident in Ghana and believed to be the leader of a syndicate involved in defrauding businessmen in the Accra Metropolis has been arrested by the Kaneshie police.

Corrias and his Ghanaian accomplices have duped several people in Accra of millions of cedis under the pretext of doing business with them. However, the law caught up with him when he duped two businessmen, Mr Kobby Afram and Alhaji Abu Jaja, of 7,200 dollars and 150 million cedis respectively.

Dr K.K. Manfo, Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, told the Times that in February last year, an accomplice only named as Ben, approached Mr Afram, a trader at Abeka Lapaz, and told him that his friend (Corrias) wanted someone who could supply him with Decis, a chemical used in growing apples.

Ben convinced Mr Afram that he could buy a bottle of the chemical at 600 dollars and then sell it to Corrias at 800 dollars. Dr Manfo said that although the Dutch requested for 72,000 dollars worth of the chemical, Mr Afram could only afford 7,200 dollars and consequently he gave the money to Ben to purchase the product.

The Police Commander said after taking the money, both Corrias and Ben were never seen again until December 27, when Afram spotted Corrias at Kaneshie and caused his arrest. After his arrest, Alhaji Abu Jaja identified Corrias as the same person who duped him of 150 million cedis last year on the pretext of supplying him with chemicals used in melting aluminium.

Dr Manfo explained that an identification parade would be held after which he would be sent to court.