*Two gold fraudsters busted for swindling victims of GH¢18,120* globalnewsreel.com *Two persons, *Joseph Addo alias P-Kay*, 39, and *Kofi Morrison*, 35, have been arrested by the Sakumono Police for allegedly posing as gold dealers and defrauding their victims to the tune of GH¢18,120.* While Addo took GH¢5,520 in his deal, Morrison also swindled his victim to the tune of GH¢12,600 ($9,000).
The first suspect, however, was reported to have committed the crime with some accomplices who had since been on the run. They include Charles, Gibson, Alex Koomson, Nana Owusu and Hayford. Briefing The Chronicle yesterday, the Sakumono District Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Michael Addae, said the suspects posed as genuine gold dealers and contacted the complainant (name withheld) to supply him with some quantity of gold dust they had reserved at Tarkwa Nsuaem. He indicated that they then demanded GH¢5,520 as part payment to enable them send a sample of the gold dust for further examination, which the victim heeded to.
When the consignment arrived and was handed over to him, it was discovered that, the whole content was fake. However, sensing danger, all suspects went into hiding with their mobile phones switched off, making it very difficult for them to be contacted by the prey. The complainant, according to ASP Addae, later reported the incident to the Sakumono Police since the transaction took place in the area. He said a swift investigation ensued, leading to the arrest of Joseph Addo on May 2, this year at his hideout in Kwashieman, a suburb of Accra. Upon interrogation, the busted gold dealer, told the police, he transacted the deal on behalf of one Nana Owusu but efforts by the police to trace the latter proved futile. In a related case, Kofi Morrison, who resides at Tema Community 18, was also arrested for swindling one Prince Owusu-Afriyie of $9,000, which is equivalent to GH¢12,600. Further speaking to The Chronicle on this issue, ASP Addae explained that the complainant, Owusu-Afriyie, 42, who happens to be a gold dealer, told the police, he needed some gold to buy for hi business and consulted Morrison to assist him.
The Crime Officer noted that Morrison, who also claimed to be a gold dealer, readily accepted to help Owusu-Afriyie to get any quantity of gold at a reduced price. Morrison, according to the police, then led the complainant to meet one Agya Owusu, whose real name was given as Nana Agyeman, popularly known as Agyengo, in a hotel at Takoradi wher he (Agya Owusu), promised to supply the unsuspecting victim with a half kilogram of gold dust at a cost of $9,000 (GH¢12,600), which he also paid. ASP Addae stated that the money was paid to the third party through Morrison, the liaison. When the supposed gold dust was handed over to Owusu-Afriyie, it also turned out to be scam during a test exercise. Both suspects, ASP Addae disclosed went into hiding until May 1, when Morrison was arrested. Even though, he mentioned, Agya Owusu as the supplier of the substance and recipient of the money, he could not help the police to get hold of Agya Owusu.
He is a 64-year-old car dealer residing at Mendskrom, near McCarthy Hill in Accra. However, ASP Addae advised the public to beware of such falsified deals since it has become the order of the day, adding, who ever wanted precious minerals should contact the appropriate quarters for assistance and not fall victims to charlatans. Story Here (http://www.globalnewsreel.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=527:two-gold-fraudsters-busted-for-swindling-victims-)
