Accra-Ghana, Dec. 16, GNA – Two persons have been granted a GHC25,000.00 bail with two sureties, each, for allegedly engaging in visa fraud.
The collected various sums of money from three persons under the pretext of securing them United States of America or United Kingdom’s (UK) visas, prosecutors told an Accra Circuit Court.
Miruiel Naa Akosua Torgbor alias Kim denied defrauding Dorcas Naa Oyoo Quartey of GHC65,050.00 and USD3,500.00, Faiza Suraj of GHC50,000.00 and Young Kwadwo Annan of GHC30,000.00.
Jojo Bonah Koomson, her alleged accomplice, on the other hand denied abetting Miruiel.
They will make their next appearance in the Court presided over by Mr Isaac Addo on December 18, 2023.
Police Inspector Wilhelmina Berlinda Kwafo told the Court that the victims and complainants were a nurse, a fashion designer and a Student, respectively.
Miruiel and Koomson, the accused persons, both 23, are students residing at Teshie and Kasoa respectively.
She said Miruiel with premeditated mind to defraud unsuspecting victims, advertised herself on snapchat platform as a Travel and Tour agent.
On July 9, 2023, complainant, Dorcas who had the plan to further her education in the United states of America got into contact with Miruiel in Accra and she made false representation that she could assist her secure a two-year United States and UK visas for her and the boyfriend George Aggrey if she gave her GHC 60,000.00 for the processing of the documents, Inspector Kwafo told the Court.
She said Miruiel later informed Dorcas that, her business partner in UK suggested the documents should be changed from travel offer to permanent residency document and demanded an extra GHC 40,000.00.
Prosecution said later, Miruiel with the help of Koomson, fraudulently secured a UK number to outsmart the complainant into believing that the transaction was genuine.
She said between July and August, 2023, Miruiel, aided by Koomson, collected a total of GHC65,050.00 and USD3,500.00 from Dorcas.
In September, 2023, when Dorcas could not receive any documents concerning the process, she demanded to see proof of the processed document which Miruiel could not provide.
A report was lodged with the Police and Miruiel was tracked and arrested, Inspector Kwafo said.
She told the Court that during investigation, Miruiel admitted the offence and mentioned Koomson as her accomplice and she led police to apprehend him in Kasoa.
The Court heard that while the accused persons were in custody, complainants: Faiza and Annan, both victims of visa fraud also made another report against them with the same modus operandi.
Further investigation established that Koomson had no capacity to secure travel and residency permit for the complainants. Accused persons jointly used the monies fraudulently acquired from their victims on expensive lifestyles, including renting expensive apartments at East Legon and other affluent communities as well as rented cars to match their fake deals.
After investigations, they were charged with the offences and put before court.
