Businessman in court over alleged 2026 World Cup visa fraud 

A businessman has appeared before an Adenta Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding a colleague of US$3,000 and GH¢20,600.

Kwaku Duah allegedly collected the money and other items from the complainant under the pretext of securing United States and Canadian visas for him to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Charged with defrauding by false pretences, Duah pleaded not guilty.

The court, presided over by Mrs Angela Attachie, admitted him to bail in the sum of GH¢60,000 with two sureties, one to be justified with landed property.

It also ordered him to deposit his passport with the court registry.

The case has been adjourned to February 17, 2027.

Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo led the prosecution.

The facts presented to the court were that the complainant, whose name was withheld, was a businessman residing at Adenta, while Duah lived at East Legon Hills.

In March 2026, one John Teiko introduced Duah to the complainant as a friend who needed spare parts for his tipper truck.

The complainant supplied the parts, and payment was made.

Prosecution said that after the transaction, Duah told the complainant that a top official of the National Sports Authority (NSA) had introduced his personal assistant, identified as Gyamfi, to help his clients secure US and Canadian visas to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Duah allegedly told the complainant that each participant was required to pay US$4,500, which he described as the official fee of the NSA.

The complainant said he could raise only US$3,000, but Duah insisted that US$4,500 was required.

Prosecution said Duah subsequently proposed an alternative arrangement under which the complainant would supply four brake drums and four 22.5R tyres for his tipper truck, valued at GH¢18,300, in addition to paying a visa fee of GH¢2,300.

The complainant allegedly supplied the items and paid the GH¢2,300 and US$3,000.

Prosecution said the complainant became concerned when the visa interview was delayed and questioned Duah, who allegedly took offence and stopped answering his calls.

The complainant subsequently reported the matter to the Adenta Police.

Investigations allegedly established that Duah had made a false representation, as he did not know anyone at the NSA and no visa interview had been scheduled for the complainant.

The court heard that the complainant's passport was retrieved from Duah upon his arrest.

GNA