Accra: Samuel Issah Abdulai, a 28-year-old driver, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court after being arrested on his wedding day for alleged visa fraud. Abdulai is accused of defrauding three individuals out of GHC352,000, under the pretense of securing visas for them, but failed to deliver on his promises.
According to Ghana News Agency, Abdulai promised to secure electronic visas for Mongolia, Georgia, Albania, and Malaysia. Charged with three counts of defrauding by false pretenses and forgery of documents, Abdulai has pleaded not guilty. The court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah, has granted him bail in the sum of GHC150,000 with three sureties, one of whom must be justified. Abdulai is also required to report to the police once every two weeks.
The prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Daniel Danku, stated that the complainants-Ohenewa Sarah and Matilda Ayaaba, both traders, and Aisha Ahamed, a businesswoman-reside in Accra. Abdulai, meanwhile, resides in Nkawie, Ashanti Region. Between September and December 2024, Abdulai and an accomplice, identified as Antwi, posted advertising flyers on the internet, soliciting interest from individuals wishing to travel to countries such as Belarus, Andorra, Albania, and Malaysia for work.
The court heard that Abdulai claimed to be in Belarus at the time and convinced the complainants that he could assist them in acquiring visas. Abdulai then allegedly demanded and collected cash amounts of GHC47,000 from Sarah Ohemewa, GHC55,000 from Matilda Ayaaba, and GHC250,000 from Aisha Ahmed, who also collected money from eleven other individuals. After receiving the money via his mobile money number, Abdulai reportedly went into hiding.
In December 2024, Abdulai resurfaced and sent documents he claimed were electronic visas to the complainants via WhatsApp. However, the complainants suspected foul play and began searching for Abdulai. They, along with other potential victims, eventually apprehended him at his wedding ceremony in Nkawie, Ashanti Region, and handed him over to the police at Teshie.
Further investigations revealed that all the electronic visas were fake, as confirmed by checks at the Immigration DFEC Unit.
