Fraud star Anim Addo strikes again

His name is Nana Anim Addo. He describes himself as a businessman who deals in gold. Some say he has the most comprehensive criminal record; others say he is the richest crook. Some even call him the ‘Golden Crook,’ but a Special Task Force of the security agencies says he is a ‘Fraud Star’.

Whichever way you call him, Nana Anim Addo, the elusive international conman who has the most impressive curriculum vitae (CV) for duping hundreds of foreign investors, still walks on the streets of Ghana as a free man, doing what he knows best. He is usually represented by Messrs Philip Addison and, on some occasions, Atta Akyea, both of Akufo Addo Prempeh and Co.

According to documents from the security agencies, Nana Anim Addo and his gang defrauded about nine international businessmen in 1997 to the tune of about $2,593,000 and about two-thirds of all fraudulent gold transactions are attributed to him.

On 17 November 1997, a task force of the security agencies who had been tasked to investigate cases of fraudulent gold transaction issued a statement, which read as follows: “Lately, a number of individuals and companies mostly foreigners have fallen victim to activities of some unscrupulous persons parading as gold traders.

“A Task Force of the Security Agencies has begun the compilation of the cases with the view to ensuring the expeditious investigation and prosecutions of those who have duped unsuspecting individuals of huge sums of money. “Two individuals, Messrs Nana Anim Addo and John Acolatse, and their associates have featured prominently in these fraudulent gold transactions.

The Task Force has so far established a trend that some of the foreigners who have fallen victims in dubious gold transactions have been or are being intimidated and pressurised by the cheats and their collaborators to leave the country and thereby thwarting investigations. The Task Force wishes to assure all such victims of the protection of the security agencies.”

Enter, Guy Athlan, a Switzerland-based French businessman who has proved too tough for Nana Anim Addo in spite of threats of death, time buying and intimidation. Currently Nana Anim Addo is in court with Mr Athlan over $100,000 gold transaction.

Chronicle has confirmed that even before Judge Apau could deliver judgement on the case before his court, Nana Anim Addo put Mr Guy Athlan on notice, threatening to order his gang to snuff out his life if he did not stop taunting him. According to Mr Athlan’s statement to the police, it all started on 1 March, this year, around 11.00 am on the premises of the High Court. He was standing with his lawyer close to the exit gate of the court when Nana Anim Addo, of Dredge Master Global Sampa Ltd., and stopped his car in the middle of the gate and angrily interrupted their conversation and began pouring insults and death threats on him.

Mr Athlan quoted Nana Anim as saying, “You insulted me, you do not know me well and you do not know who you are dealing with. Go and ask of me, Nana Kwaku Anim Addo. Here in Ghana, from the smallest to the top, Justice, police and government, I do not fear anybody. I got the Registrar of the court out of his job! You do not know me. If you care, I still have the boys to beat you up to death. Be careful or else you will see what will happen if you continue to taunt me.”

Mr Athlan said in order to avoid public attention at the court premises he turned his back against him and did not utter a word until Nana Anim Addo jumped into his car. In his statement to the police, Mr Athlan further said Nana Anim popped up again and talked to his lawyer, Mr Chris Archer, saying “It is because of the respect I have for you that I am warning Mr Athlan for the last time, otherwise he will see something he will never forget.”

The French businessman said in the midst of the threats, one Mr Obuobi Bompoh, who is an associate of Mr Athlan, said, “Are you going to kill us on top?”

When Chronicle reached Mr Chris Archer for his comments on the alleged threats of death issued by Nana Anim Addo to his client, he confirmed it and said, “I have looked at the statement to the police and everything is true.” Mr Athlan named his lawyer, Mr Bampoe and a policeman he said was attached to the bailiff as his witness.

Mr Athlan told the Chronicle that he takes the threats against him seriously because having dealt with Nana Anim Addo, he was convinced that he was capable of killing him. “This man Kwaku Anim Addo is dangerous. I have seen what he did to the taxi driver. His bodyguards are known by many stories. I do not take lightly the treats on my life. I asked for police protection and I shall request the French, Embassy for protection too,” he said.

Chronicle has also sighted a petition dated 28 March 2002 and addressed to the Commissioner of Police (CID) requesting the police for protection and an assurance that his life is safe. “May I please seek the help of your good office to assure me of my personal safety after threats of death from Nana Kwaku Anim Addo on Friday 1 March 2002,” Mr Athlan stated in his petition.

As at Sunday evening, Chronicle gathered that Nana Anim had still not been invited by the police but the paper could not trace him for his comments and his side of the story.