Court orders two footballers, okada rider to refund GH¢38k in cyber fraud case
The court, presided over by His Worship Abdul Majid Iliasu, ordered them to refund the full amount to the complainant, Shalean Stella Bamfo, a 26-year-old trader.
A mobile money fraud scheme that cost a trader GH¢38,450 has ended with the conviction of three young men by the Assin Fosu District Court.
The convicts are Francis Appiah, 24, and Emmanuel Oteng, also known as Flow Delli, 24, both footballers, and Emmanuel Antwi, 21, an okada rider.
All three are residents of Assin Breku.
The court, presided over by His Worship Abdul Majid Iliasu, ordered them to refund the full amount to the complainant, Shalean Stella Bamfo, a 26-year-old trader.
The prosecution said the fraud was carried out on July 21, 2026.
Francis Appiah allegedly called Ms Bamfo and claimed he had mistakenly sent money to her.
He then kept her on the phone for some time and directed her to visit a nearby mobile money merchant.
While there, she was allegedly deceived into transferring GH¢38,450 through e-cash.
The money was sent to three MTN numbers registered in the names of Saar Hassana, Rebecca Bosiako Antwi and Sarah Gyeti Arthur.
According to the prosecution, Appiah later sent GH¢6,290 to Emmanuel Antwi as his share of the proceeds.
Ms Bamfo later realised she had been defrauded and reported the matter to the Central North Regional Police Cybercrime Unit.
Investigators worked with telecommunications companies, gathered intelligence and obtained a court order as part of efforts to trace the suspects.
The three were eventually arrested at a hideout in Assin Breku.
The court was told that one of the accused persons admitted the offence in a caution statement.
After their conviction, the three refunded the entire GH¢38,450 to the complainant.
In delivering his ruling, His Worship Abdul Majid Iliasu considered the fact that the convicts were first-time offenders.
He, however, warned them not to return to crime, cautioning that any future arrest for criminal conduct could result in imprisonment.
The judge advised them to abandon fraud and engage in legitimate work to improve their lives.
He also commended the Central North Regional Police Cybercrime Unit for its role in investigating the case and fighting cyber-related offences in the region.
