Nurse faces court, granted GH¢100k bail over alleged UK travel scam

A 35-year-old nurse accused of defrauding a colleague in a purported UK travel arrangement has been granted GH¢100,000 bail by the Asante Akropong District Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District.

Esther Asamoah Dufie, who denies the charge of defrauding by false pretence, is expected back before the court on 27 November. The presiding judge, Emmanuel Wiafe Adu, ordered that the bail be supported by two sureties.

Prosecutors told the court that Ms Dufie and the complainant, Ruth Afia Antwiwaa, work at the same health facility in Tafo, Kumasi.

In January 2025, the accused is said to have advertised what she described as a UK travel opportunity on her WhatsApp status. The complainant expressed interest and was reportedly informed that the travel slots were being offered through the accused’s brother, a supposed military officer in the UK.

According to Detective Inspector Alexander Agbekpornu, the complainant later introduced another interested person — her friend’s husband — and together they were instructed to pay GH¢54,090 into a CalBank account provided by Ms Dufie.

The accused allegedly assured the victims that a dependent would arrive from the UK in April 2025 to begin the visa process. When this failed to materialise, the complainant demanded a refund.

Repeated attempts to retrieve the money were unsuccessful, leading to a formal complaint lodged with the Abuakwa Police on 16 September 2025. Ms Dufie was then arrested.

Police say she admitted taking the money in her caution statement and requested time to repay it by 10 October 2025. She was granted police enquiry bail but subsequently went into hiding, prompting a search.

She was re-arrested on 27 October at Tafo.

Following further investigations, the nurse has been charged and brought before the court. The matter has been adjourned for the next hearing later this month.