Visa Fraud Lands Two in Court

Two men are to appear before an Accra circuit tribunal today for allegedly defrauding a farmer of ?30 million with the pretense of acquiring a British visa for him.

At the last adjourned date, it was only one of the accused, Stephen Yeboah Djan, who appeared before the chairman of the circuit tribunal, Mohammed Nabon.

Djan was remanded in prison custody, while Samuel Lamptey, the other accused, who failed to appear before the tribunal, is believed to be at large.

The accused persons have both been jointly charged with defrauding by false pretense.

Meanwhile, the tribunal has issued a bench warrant for the immediate arrest of Samuel Lamptey before the next adjourned date.

Presenting the facts of the case, the prosecution team told the tribunal that the complainant, Mr. Charles Twum Barima, a farmer, had informed one of the accused, Djan, that he wanted to travel to the United Kingdom.

According to the prosecution, Djan promised the complainant that he could assist him to acquire a British visa through his friend without any difficulties.

Consequently, Djan introduced the complainant to Lamptey as the one who could get him the visa .

The two accused persons therefore charged the complainant ?30 million, whereupon he gave out an initial amount of ?10 million and his passport to the accused persons.

On subsequent days, the two accused made a follow-up visit to the complainant and pick up the balance of ?20 million from the complainant.

Prosecution said the two accused failed to fulfil their side of the bargain of procuring the visa for the complainant, and went underground.

The complainant therefore reported the case to the police, which led to the arrest of Stephen Yeboah.

The case continues.