The Accra Circuit Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of two persons, who allegedly defrauded a trader of GH¢232,000.
Ibrahim Musah, a trader, and Mohammed Musah, aka “Dollar Man,” a businessman, allegedly took GH¢232,000 from their victim under the pretence of transferring the amount to Zaaku in the USA, to purchase a Range Rover Sports, 2020 model for him, but failed.
The two, who are jointly held for conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretence, failed to appear before court for their pleas to be taken.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Seth Frimpong prayed the court to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of the suspects.
The court presided over by Mrs Angelina Attachie, therefore, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of the two persons, and adjourned the case to May 23, 2023.
ASP Frimpong said that the complainant, Mr Rashid Haledu, is a trader and resides at Ablekuma, Accra, while the accused are residents of Tetegu and Kasoa, respectively.
The prosecution said in December 2021, the complainant contacted Zaaku in New York, USA, to buy a Range Rover Sports, 2020 model.
ASP Frimpong said Zaaku told the complainant that the car he wanted to buy cost $40,000.
The prosecution said Zaaku gave his bank account to the complainant to transfer the money.
ASP Frimpong said while the complainant was looking for someone who could transfer the money, he came across Ibrahim, who said he could transfer the money.
The prosecution said the complainant gave GH¢232,000 cash (equivalent to $40,000) to Ibrahim to transfer into Zaaku’s account for the purchase of the vehicle.
ASP Frimpong said on December 24, 2021, Ibrahim informed the complainant that he had transferred the money into Zaaku’s account, whilst Zaaku was waiting to receive the money (in his account).
The prosecution said the FBI contacted the complainant that there was a fraudulent transaction of $40,000 into his account and that he could no longer get access to the account.
ASP Frimpong said the complainant confronted Ibrahim, but he (Ibrahim) could not confirm whether the money was transferred and mentioned Mohammed as the one he gave the money to do the transfer.
The prosecution said after realising he (the complainant) had been defrauded, he petitioned the police for investigation, leading to the arrest of Ibrahim.
ASP Frimpong told the court that Ibrahim said he gave the money to Mohammed to make the transfer.
It said Mohammed also said he gave the money to one Baraka, who said he was having $40,000 in America and could easily transfer the same for the complainant.
The prosecution said the suspects failed to assist the police in locating Baraka with the excuse that they do not know where to locate him. – GNA
