Junior pastor jailed 10 years over fake Malaysia teaching job
Stephen Yaw Gyamfi, a junior pastor at Blessed Gate Worship Centre at Mim in the Ahafo Region, was convicted by the Nsuta Circuit Court in the Ashanti Region after pleading guilty to defrauding by false pretences.
A 32-year-old junior pastor has been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for defrauding a teacher of GH¢78,800 in a fake overseas employment deal.
Stephen Yaw Gyamfi, a junior pastor at Blessed Gate Worship Centre at Mim in the Ahafo Region, was convicted by the Nsuta Circuit Court in the Ashanti Region after pleading guilty to defrauding by false pretences.
The sentence was handed down on Friday, August 7, 2026, by the presiding judge, Simon Nketiah Gagah.
The case involved a supposed teaching job opportunity in Malaysia.
According to the prosecution, the complainant, Abigail Darkwah, a 41-year-old teacher, was introduced to Gyamfi in January 2025 by her colleague, Collin Sackey.
She was told that Gyamfi could help her secure a teaching job abroad.
Gyamfi allegedly demanded US$4,300, equivalent to GH¢73,100 at the time, to cover visa processing and airfare.
The complainant first paid GH¢15,000.
She later handed over her passport after Gyamfi claimed it was needed for the travel arrangements.
About a month later, Gyamfi allegedly told her that the visa had been secured but would expire within six months.
Based on that representation, she paid the outstanding GH¢58,100.
The prosecution said Gyamfi later demanded an additional GH¢3,800 for hotel reservation and GH¢1,900 for travel insurance.
The total amount paid came to GH¢78,800.
After receiving the money, Gyamfi allegedly disappeared.
The matter was reported to the Regional Criminal Investigations Department in Mampong.
Police investigations later traced him to Mim in the Ahafo Region, where he was hiding.
A wireless message was sent to the Mim Police, leading to his arrest at his hideout on June 22, 2026.
He was transferred to the Mampong Police CID for further investigations.
The prosecution said Gyamfi admitted the offence in his cautioned statement.
During the proceedings, the court gave him an opportunity to refund the money to the complainant.
He, however, paid only GH¢10,000, leaving a balance of GH¢68,800.
The court ordered the prosecution to release the GH¢10,000 to the complainant.
It also advised her to pursue a civil action to recover the outstanding amount after Gyamfi serves his sentence.
In sentencing him, the court said the punishment was meant to deter others, especially as fraudulent travel and employment schemes continue to affect unsuspecting victims.
