Ofaakor Court remands suspect, grants GH¢70,000 bail to accomplice over vehicle sale fraud

The Ofaakor Circuit Court has remanded one suspect into police custody while granting bail to an alleged accomplice in connection with an online vehicle sales scam that reportedly defrauded a victim of more than GH¢100,000.

The accused persons, identified as 31-year-old Chidubem Oba and 28-year-old Ama Mankye, appeared before the court on June 15, 2026, following investigations by the Central East Regional Police Command into the alleged fraud.

The court ordered that Chidubem Oba remain in police custody to assist with further proceedings, while Ama Mankye was granted bail in the sum of GH¢70,000 with one surety to be justified with landed property.

Both accused persons are expected to reappear before the court on June 29, 2026.

The case was initiated after a complaint was filed with the Kasoa District Police Command by a victim who reported being defrauded in an online vehicle transaction.

Police investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly used a TikTok account to advertise a Jetour hybrid vehicle for sale at a price of US$8,800, purportedly on behalf of a company identified as Shipper China Qinghai Hongmeng Automobile Sale.

According to investigators, the victim proceeded to transfer a total of GH¢100,323 in two separate payments into bank accounts linked to the transaction after expressing interest in purchasing the vehicle.

The victim later discovered that a bill of lading issued after the payments was fraudulent and subsequently reported the matter to the police on February 10, 2026.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Chidubem Oba at Adawukwa, a suburb of Bawjiase in the Central Region, on June 12.

A search conducted at his residence allegedly uncovered an ATM card, a SIM card registered in the name of Ama Mankye, and a payment receipt connected to the complainant.

Ama Mankye was later arrested at Agbogba in Accra after investigators linked her to the transaction.

Police say investigations revealed that she allegedly opened a bank account used to receive the funds and was reportedly paid GH¢1,000 for her role in facilitating the transfer.

Meanwhile, the Central East Regional Police Command says efforts are underway to arrest a third suspect, identified as Theresa Ziam, who is currently on the run.

Authorities have assured the public that investigations are ongoing as they work to recover the stolen funds and bring all individuals connected to the alleged fraud before justice.