Man remanded for swindling victims of GH¢30,850

A circuit court in Kumasi remanded  into prison custody, a 48-year old painter, for allegedly posing as a police officer and swindling 21 persons of GH¢30,850.00 under the pretext of helping them to join the Ghana Police Service.

Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, alias “Chief Inspector”, who was charged for falsely pretending to be a public officer and defrauding by false pretence.

The accused, who pleaded not guilty to the charges,  would re-appear at court on Thursday February 24.

Police Inspector Kwabena Oduro Boateng told the court    presided over by Justice William Boampong that Afriyie introduced himself to the victims between March and December, last year, as a police officer with the Criminal Investigations Department of the Police Service.

According to the prosecution, the accused convinced his victims, the complainants, that he could assist them to join the Police Service at an agreed amount.

Insp Boateng said they met with Afriyie at the Kumasi Central Police Station Canteen, and gave him monies totaling GH¢30,850.00.

The court heard that Afriyie produced some forms that bore the headings: “Ghana Police Service Recruit Form A” and “Ghana Police Service Recruitment Medical Laboratory Report” and filled them for the victims.

The prosecution said the accused assured the complainants that they would receive letters inviting them to attend police recruitment training by January 4, this year.

Insp Boateng said when they went to Afriyie after the deadline to find out why the arrangement failed, the accused gave excuses to justify the failure.

According to the prosecution, the complainants became suspicious of Afriyie and report his conduct to the police and he was apprehended.

A search carried out on the accused uncovered fake police documents: medical laboratory report, admission forms and letters. He admitted collecting the monies.

Source: GNA