Kwame Oduro Amoakohene, a Kumasi based businessman has been charged before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding a close friend, Dorothy Yeboah, who is a Public Servant off US$91,000 under the disguise of selling to her a Mercedes Benz.
When the case was called in the court, presided over by Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah on Monday, this week, Kwame Oduro Amoakohene and the Prosecuting Officer, DSP Maxwell Opponent were not present. The Counsel for the accused, Francis Adjei was, however, present.
Francis Adjei, holding brief for Bismarck Nsiah Aboagye, told the court that the accused was unwell and that he was seeking medical attention at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
The court, therefore, adjourned the case to next month, April 18, 2024.
BackgroundÂ
The Public Servant, Dorothy Yeboah, a resident of Accra and Kwame Oduro Amoakohene, a self-style businessman had been friends for about four years.
During their friendship, Kwame usually discussed some of his business plans with Dorothy, which the latter does not show interest.
On July 16, 2023, Kwame brought up a new proposal to Dorothy, that he has some vehicles for sale in the United States of America and forwarded pictures of some vehicles to Dorothy, including a Mercedes Benz, which he claimed was available at a discounted price of US$36,000.00 plus shipment.
Kwame allegedly told the complainant that he needed part payment to enable him travel to the USA to prepare the vehicle, while the balance is transferred to him later.
The Complainant became convinced and paid a deposit of US$22,000.00 to Kwame and in September 2023, the suspect travelled to the United States.
When he got to the United States, he demanded that the Complainant paid the balance into his Consolidated Bank of Ghana account, which she obliged, by paying GH¢160,000.00 equivalent of US$14,000.00.
Kwame, after receiving the funds, told the complainant that the said Mercedes Benz was no longer readily available and pleaded to be given time to arrange the vehicle for her.
On September 27, 2023 Kwame once again sent pictures of another Mercedes Benz, which he claimed was available for sale at US$55,000.00 including shipment to Ghana.
Since the complainant was not having money at the time, Kwame convinced her to share the pictures and price of the vehicle with her friends.
The Complainant managed to get the attention of one of her friends, who showed interest in the vehicle and the suspect gave his account number to the Complainant for payment, covering the said vehicle.
The public Servant paid the US$55,000.00 into the account provided by the suspect, making it a total sum of US$91,000.00.
After receiving the money, Kwame further forwarded pictures of some other vehicles, which he claimed he bought, instead of the agreed ones.
The complainant insisted that the vehicles were shipped after receiving several flimsy excuses from the suspect.
On October 12, 2023 he forwarded tracking numbers to the Complainant, showing that he had shipped two containers, containing the Complainant’s vehicles.
While monitoring the arrival of the containers, Kwame further demanded an extra US$5,000.00 from the Complainant with claims that he was using the money to ship her second container.
The Complainant became alarmed and suspicious of Kwame, as well as the tracking numbers, which turned out to be false.
She reported the case to Police, leading to the arrest of Kwame. During investigation, he admitted to the offence in his investigating statement.
He paid US$10,000.00 as partial refund of the money collected from the Complainant.
