Two footballers, okada rider convicted in GH¢38,000 cyber fraud case in Assin Fosu
The Assin Fosu District Court has convicted three residents of Assin Breku for defrauding a 26-year-old trader of GH¢38,450 through a fraudulent electronic money transaction.
The convicts are 24-year-old footballers Francis Appiah and Emmanuel Oteng, alias Flow Delli, and 21-year-old okada rider Emmanuel Antwi.
Presided over by His Worship Abdul Majid Iliasu, the court ordered the three men to refund the full amount obtained from the trader, Shalean Stella Bamfo. The convicts subsequently paid back the entire GH¢38,450.
The prosecution told the court that the incident occurred on July 21, 2026, at about 12:30 p.m., when Appiah allegedly called the complainant and falsely claimed that he had mistakenly transferred money to her.
According to Prosecutor Inspector Matilda Osaah Buabeng, Appiah kept the complainant engaged in a lengthy conversation before directing her to a nearby mobile money merchant.
The prosecution said the complainant was subsequently deceived into transferring GH¢38,450 through e-cash to three MTN numbers registered in the names of Saar Hassana, Rebecca Bosiako Antwi and Sarah Gyeti Arthur.
Appiah allegedly later transferred GH¢6,290 to Antwi as his share of the proceeds from the transaction.
The complainant reportedly realised later that she had been defrauded and reported the matter to the Central North Regional Police Cybercrime Unit.
Inspector Buabeng said investigations, which involved telecommunications companies, police intelligence and a court order, led to the arrest of the three accused at their hideout in Assin Breku.
The court also heard that one of the accused admitted involvement in the offence in a caution statement.
After hearing the case, the court convicted the three and ordered them to refund the GH¢38,450. They complied with the order and refunded the full amount.
In his ruling, His Worship Abdul Majid Iliasu noted that the convicts were first-time offenders but cautioned them against engaging in similar criminal activities in the future.
He warned that they could face imprisonment if they were arrested again for committing offences.
The judge urged the convicts to abandon fraudulent activities and pursue legitimate livelihoods to improve their lives.
He also commended the Central North Regional Police Cybercrime Unit for its efforts and commitment to combating cyber-related crimes in the region.