Two Arraigned for Alleged Visa Fraud Involving GHC45,000

Accra: Two individuals have been brought before an Accra Circuit Court on charges of allegedly defrauding a trader by falsely promising to secure a Canadian visa.According to Ghana News Agency, the accused, Isaac Abaidoo, a social worker, and Florence Mensah, a trader, have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime in 2023. Abaidoo also faces an additional charge of defrauding by false pretenses. The duo allegedly collected GHC45,000 from the complainant, Mavis Tagoe, a trader from Bukom, under the pretext of obtaining a Canadian visa but failed to deliver and subsequently went into hiding.Both Abaidoo and Mensah pleaded not guilty to the charges. Presiding Judge Mrs. Susana Eduful granted each accused person bail in the sum of GHC50,000 with two sureties, one of whom must be justified with title deed documents.Chief Inspector Godwin Wemegah, who is prosecuting the case, informed the court that Tagoe was introduced to Abaidoo and Mensah by her brother, a witness in the case, after she expressed int erest in traveling abroad. Initially, the accused promised to secure a New Zealand work permit visa within a month and collected GHC30,000, which was handed over to Mensah.However, three months later, Abaidoo informed Tagoe of challenges with the New Zealand visa arrangement and proposed a Canadian visa instead, requesting an additional GHC15,000. The prosecution stated that Mensah assured Tagoe the Canadian visa would be ready within two months. Despite receiving the total amount of GHC45,000, Abaidoo and Mensah failed to fulfill their promise and went into hiding, making it difficult to locate them.A report was eventually lodged with the La Police, leading to the arrest of Abaidoo and Mensah. During investigations, both admitted to the offense.