Sales Executive Granted GH¢2m Bail Over Alleged UK Visa Fraud

The Dansoman Circuit Court has granted a 45-year-old sales executive, Prince Charles Boateng, bail in the sum of GH¢2 million over an alleged visa fraud involving GH¢218,000 and £2,585.

Boateng is alleged to have falsely represented to Augustine Attah Essel that he could secure United Kingdom (UK) visas and work permits for three applicants.

Presiding over the court, His Honour Denis Eyram Fumey, granted the accused bail with three sureties, all of whom are required to be justified.

The court adjourned the case to November 9, 2026.

Chief Inspector Emilia Mensah, who is prosecuting, told the court that the complainant, Josephine Osei, is a businesswoman resident at Dansoman, while Boateng resides at Kasoa Top Town.

The prosecution said that in August 2024, Boateng informed Augustine Attah Essel, who resides in the United States, that he knew someone who could secure UK visas and work permits for interested persons.

According to the prosecution, Boateng introduced some purported successful applicants and subsequently told Augustine about a man identified as Patrick Bismark Mensah, who could assist with obtaining UK visas and certificates of sponsorship.

The prosecution said Augustine had three interested persons—Dickson Kofi Adjei, Priscilla Agyerwaa and Samuel Otu—and Boateng assured him that the process would be successful or the money paid would be refunded.

Boateng allegedly demanded £2,585 for the services of Mensah, whom Augustine had reportedly spoken to only by telephone.

The prosecution said Boateng subsequently provided email addresses and a link through which payments were to be made.

Dickson Kofi Adjei, one of the applicants, allegedly transferred the foreign currency payment into Boateng’s account.

Boateng later demanded GH¢218,000 to complete the process for the three applicants.

The prosecution said Samuel Otu and Priscilla Agyerwaa each paid GH¢60,000, while Dickson Kofi Adjei paid GH¢98,000, bringing the total to GH¢218,000.

The money was allegedly paid into Boateng’s Zenith Bank account at the Takoradi branch on September 10, 2024.

However, after receiving the money, Boateng allegedly began giving excuses about the process.

The prosecution said Augustine subsequently conducted private investigations and discovered that the purported company handling the UK visas and work permits did not exist and that no visa or work permit application had been processed.

The prosecution alleged that Boateng had used the name of his supposed friend, Patrick Bismark Mensah, to obtain the money.

On December 17, 2025, Augustine reportedly gave power of attorney to his mother, Josephine Osei, to lodge a complaint against Boateng on his behalf.

Boateng was subsequently arrested and, according to the prosecution, admitted that the money had been paid into his account but claimed that he had forwarded it to Mensah.

The prosecution said Boateng, however, could not lead the police to Mensah for his arrest.

He has been charged with defrauding by false pretence, contrary to Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).

The charge alleges that Boateng, in August 2024 at Dansoman, with intent to defraud, obtained the consent of Augustine Attah Essel to part with GH¢218,000 and £2,585 by falsely representing that he could secure UK visas and work permits for three people.