Six individuals have been arrested in Accra for allegedly conspiring to defraud a Ukrainian businessman by offering forged U.S. dollar notes under the pretense of an investment opportunity.
The accused—Abdel Razak Djidonou, a 44-year-old consultant residing in Paris; Simon Mbillam, a 39-year-old property agent from Oyarifa; Mohamed Ibrahim, a 62-year-old contractor based in Tema; Prince Pius, a 44-year-old businessman from Spintex; George Bonsu, a 64-year-old driver from Kwabenya Abuom Junction; and Chief Toni Silas, a 53-year-old businessman from Dome Kwabenya—were apprehended on June 8, 2025, at a warehouse in Abokobi, in the Greater Accra Region.
According to facts presented before the Accra Circuit Court, the accused allegedly lured the complainant, Grygorii Morozov, a Ukrainian businessman to Ghana, with the promise of assisting in transporting one million U.S. dollars in counterfeit currency to Austria for investment. They reportedly charged him a $10,000 “appointment fee.”
Upon his arrival, Morozov was taken to the warehouse, where National Security operatives intervened and seized a green trunk and a “Ghana-Must-Go” bag, both containing the alleged counterfeit notes.
The suspects face charges under Section 23(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) for conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically forgery, uttering, and possession of forged notes—and under Section 18 of the Currency Act, 1964 (Act 242) for the actual offense.
Prosecutor ASP Abel Amanie urged the court to remand the accused, stating that the case is still under investigation.
However, defense counsel Andrew Vortia challenged the request, claiming his clients had suffered police brutality.
He noted that one of the accused sustained a split nose, while another had a bloody eye from the alleged assault.
Despite arguments from both the prosecution and the defense, the Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Susana Eduful declined to entertain the case, citing a lack of jurisdiction to handle first-degree felony matters.
