Two persons have faced in court in Accra for allegedly scamming an American of $1,205,000 by presenting the victim with seven 20-footer containers of money.
Dzam Abotsi, a vehicle trader, and Nana Kwame Yanka, a businessman, were both charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and defrauding under false pretences.
According to reports, Abotsi charged the complainant $100,500 in addition to an additional $200,000 in rent and security for the containers.
It is unknown how much money the American’s other associates stole from him.
Abotsi and Yanka, for their part, have pleaded not guilty to the accusations.
The defendants were granted bail in the amount of GHC1 million cedis with three sureties, one of which had to be justified, by the court presided over by Mr Samuel Bright Acquah.
An accomplice, Alhaji Tanko, a businessman facing the same allegations, is still at large.
The hearing has been rescheduled for November 23, 2023.
According to Superintendent of Police Augustus Yirenkyi, the complainant, Gary Bernsten, is an American Asset Recovery Officer.
According to Supt. Yirenkyi, Abotsi and Yanka live in Sowutuom and Chantan, respectively.
According to the prosecution, Bernsten and his business associates in Brazil were advised that there was a stash of US dollars hidden in around 20 containers in Ghana.
According to the prosecution, Bernsten and his companions conducted their research and decided to fly to Ghana to reclaim the money stockpile.
According to the report, Bernsten travelled to Ghana and met with Abotsi, the first accused individual.
According to the prosecutor, Bernsten was brought to a warehouse in Sowutuom and inspected US cash hidden in around seven containers.
According to the prosecution, a forensic investigation of the dollars in the containers confirmed that they were real.
According to the prosecution, Abotsi charged the plaintiff $100,500, plus an extra $200,000 in rent and security for the containers.
It was stated that the funds were sent to Abotsi via Crypto Currency and wire transfer.
According to the prosecution, Bernsten hired Skynet Logistics to transport the seven containers containing the money to Tema, Community 12, based on Abotsi’s advice.
According to the prosecutor, Bernsten returned to the warehouse a few days later to take the containers containing the money to Tema Harbour but discovered it empty.
Abotsi and Yanka were detained after a police report was filed.
The prosecution stated that attempts were underway to apprehend Alhaji Tanko and those who remained at large.
