Fake pilot jailed for fraud

The Madina Community Tribunal on Monday sentenced Kwabena Agyapong, a store keeper to two years imprisonment with hard labour for presenting a briefcase filled with two dozens of sachet water as 50,000 dollars to a businessman for the purchase of 50 gold bars.

Agyapong, who pretended to be a pilot was supposed to hand over the 50,000 dollars to Mr. Kwabena Twum, a businessman for a fee of 2,000 dollars. Luck however, run out of Agyapong, when he decided to open the briefcase containing the money to verify the content. He pleaded guilty for attempted fraud.

Prosecuting Chief Inspector Margaret Awuni told the tribunal, chaired by Mrs. Ivy Heward- Mills that, the complainant, Mr. Kwabena Twum and the convict, both reside at Darkuman in Accra.

On 9 July, this year, Mr. Twum received a telephone call from an unknown person, who introduced himself as Nana Kofi, speaking from London. According to Mr. Twum, during their conversation, Nana Kofi, informed him that there was a white man who wanted to buy 50 bars of gold at the cost of 50,000 dollars and as such he would like him (Mr Twum) to assist him.

On 19 July, this year, the said Nana Kofi rang again and said that the white man would be sending the 50,000 dollars through a pilot at a spot near the Kotoka International Airport taxi rank.

At 9:30 AM, the same day, while Mr. Twum was waiting at the spot, Agyapong arrived and introduced himself as the pilot, who had been directed to send a parcel to him but would collect 2,000 dollars as his share. Agyapong went to a nearby spot and brought a brief case sealed with cellotape and wrapped it in a black polythene bag.

Agyapong, after handing over the parcel, warned Mr. Twum not to open it but he (Mr Twum) insisted on opening it.

Prosecution said Agyapong sensing danger, took to his heels. Mr Antwi raised an alarm and the accused was arrested. When the bag was opened, two dozens of pure water had been concealed in the briefcase.