Two individuals have appeared before an Accra Circuit Court, facing charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and defrauding under false pretences.
Dzam Abotsi, a car dealer, and Nana Kwame Yanka, a businessman, allegedly defrauded an American of $1,205,000, posing as suppliers of seven 20-footer containers filled with money.
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The complainant, Gary Bernsten, is identified as an American Asset Recovery Officer.
According to the prosecution, Bernsten and his Brazilian business partners were informed about the existence of a cache of United States Dollars stored in approximately 20 containers in Ghana.
Subsequently, they conducted an investigation and decided to travel to Ghana to recover the money.
Upon his arrival in Ghana, Bernsten met Dzam Abotsi, the first accused person, who took him to a warehouse in Sowutuom, where Bernsten reportedly inspected seven containers filled with United States dollars.
A forensic examination of the money in these containers confirmed their authenticity.
It is alleged that Abotsi demanded a total of $300,500 from the complainant, which included $100,500 for the money in the containers and an additional $200,000 for rent and security protection.
The funds were transferred to Abotsi through cryptocurrency and wire transfers.
Subsequently, Bernsten engaged the services of Skynet Logistics to transport the seven containers filled with money to Tema, Community 12, following Abotsi's recommendations.
However, a few days later, when Bernsten visited the warehouse to relocate the containers to Tema Harbour, he discovered the warehouse was empty.
Upon this discovery, a report was made to the police, leading to the arrest of Abotsi and Nana Kwame Yanka, who were arraigned before the Accra Circuit Court.
Their accomplice, identified as Alhaji Tanko, a businessman facing the same charges, is currently at large.
The court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of GHC1 million cedis with three sureties, one to be justified. The case has been adjourned until November 23, 2023.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Alhaji Tanko and other individuals who remain at large in connection with the case.
