Ex-Black Stars player granted GH¢100k bail over alleged visa fraud
The Court presided over by Mrs. Susana Eduful, stipulated that each surety must earn a minimum of GH¢5,000.
Former Ghana Black Stars player Samuel Inkoom has been granted bail of GH¢100,000 with two sureties in a case involving alleged visa fraud.
The Court presided over by Mrs. Susana Eduful, stipulated that each surety must earn a minimum of GH¢5,000. Additionally, Inkoom was required to deposit a passport-sized photograph with the Court’s Registry.
The allegations against Inkoom involve collecting $4,000 from Madam Elizabeth Atarime Mboh Awuni under the pretense of securing a U.S. visa for her client, a claim he has denied. He is expected to appear before the Court on January 22, 2025.
Chief Inspector Tetteh Boafo provided details of the case, stating that Madam Awuni, an entrepreneur, and Madam Abigail Owusu, a public servant, both residing in Oyarifa, Accra, are the complainants. Inkoom, now retired from football, resides in Sekondi-Takoradi, Western Region.
In December 2023, while scouting for young football talents at Achimota, Inkoom met Awuni and informed her about his involvement in travel and tour services, claiming he could obtain U.S. and Canadian visas within six weeks for a fee of $4,000. Convinced by his assurances, Awuni provided the money for a U.S. visa for her client.
Similarly, Owusu, after hearing similar claims from Inkoom, paid him $2,000 to facilitate her visa application. Despite promising to deliver the visas within six to eight weeks, Inkoom failed to fulfill his commitment and became unreachable.
The complainants, suspecting fraud, reported the matter to the police. Upon his arrest, Inkoom admitted collecting the money and claimed he sent it to a partner in the U.S. to process the visas. However, he failed to provide supporting evidence, and investigations revealed no such partner existed. The claims were determined to be fabricated.
Police investigations led to the recovery of $2,000 from Inkoom, which was returned to Awuni. Following the conclusion of investigations, Inkoom was charged and brought before the Court.
