Two individuals have made an appearance before an Accra Circuit Court, facing charges of defrauding an American of $1,205,000 by falsely claiming to provide the victim with seven 20-foot containers filled with money.
The accused, Dzam Abotsi, a car dealer, and Nana Kwame Yanka, a businessman, have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and defrauding under false pretenses.
Abotsi reportedly charged the complainant, Gary Bernsten, $100,500, along with an additional $200,000 for container rent and security services. The exact amount taken by other individuals involved in the scheme remains unclear.
Both Abotsi and Yanka have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court, presided over by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah, granted bail to the accused persons in the amount of GHC1 million cedis, with three sureties, one of which must be justified. An accomplice, identified as Alhaji Tanko, who is also facing similar charges, is currently at large.
The case has been adjourned to November 23, 2023.
According to the prosecution led by Superintendent of Police Augustus Yirenkyi, the complainant, Gary Bernsten, is an American Asset Recovery Officer. Bernsten was led to a warehouse in Sowutuom, where he inspected seven containers supposedly filled with United States dollars.
The prosecution informed the court that a forensic examination of the dollars in the containers confirmed their authenticity.
Abotsi purportedly charged Bernsten $100,500, in addition to $200,000 for container rent and security services, with the funds being transferred through cryptocurrency and wire transfers.
Bernsten engaged the services of Skynet Logistics to transport the seven containers filled with money to Tema, Community 12, based on Abotsi’s recommendation.
However, a few days later, when Bernsten returned to move the containers to Tema Harbour, he discovered the warehouse was empty.
A report was filed with the police, leading to the arrest of Abotsi and Yanka. The prosecution stated that efforts were underway to apprehend Alhaji Tanko and other individuals who remain at large.