Fake presidential staffer arrested over visa fraud

A self-professed man of God, who allegedly posed as a presidential staffer and swindled four people of cash totaling GH¢160,000 under the pretext of getting them United States travel visas, has been arrested to face justice.

Reverend Kwame Owura Bempah, was on Tuesday put before a Kumasi Circuit Court, presided over by Mr. William Boampong, to answer for his crime.

Bempah who is facing charges of impersonation, conspiracy and fraud, pleaded not guilty and was granted a GH¢500,000 bail with two sureties to re-appear on Tuesday, December 9.

His two other accomplices, Kwabena Owusu, and one Peprah, are on the run.

Police Superintendent Emmanuel Akunnor said, the accused person told his victims, John Obiri Yeboah, Isaac Osei Darko, Dominic Kusi Arthur and Adu Offei that he was a presidential staffer, and could secure them visas to travel to the US.

Supt Akunnor said they got swayed and paid to him various sums of money, with Yeboah paying the highest amount of GH¢100,000, while Darko and Arthur let go GH¢24,000 each, with Offei making the least payment of GH¢12,000.

This happened in May and after collecting the money with his fugitive colleagues, the accused failed to deliver the visas.

A report was therefore made to the police and he was arrested, the prosecution added.