Crime & Punishment of Monday, 1 June 2009

Source: GNA

Visa fraudster busted by Swedru police

Agona Swedru, June 1, GNA - The Agona Swedru Divisional Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service has arrested Rosaline Gyan-Mensah, 63 years, for visa fraud involving into thousands of Ghana Cedis.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Osei Kwadwo, Swedru Divisional Crime Officer said this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Agona Swedru.

He said Gyan-Mensah, also known as Gertrude, a trader from Winneba, but based at Odoben, eight months ago collected huge sums of money from prospective travellers under the pretext of securing them visas and passports to enable them travel to Canada.

DSP Osei Kwadwo said the suspect went to churches and mosques at Agona Swedru and its surrounding areas and told them that her husband was based in Canada and could helped anyone interested in travelling to United State of America (USA) and other European countries.

He said as a result, the suspect succeeded in collecting 2,800 dollars and 100 Ghana Cedis from Mr Kwabena Bafour, 17,000 Ghana Cedis from Ms Josephine Adobaw, 1,300.00 Ghana Cedis from Ms Jennifer Bediako, all from Takoradi and 71,000.00 Ghana Cedis from Mrs Dorcas Acquah from Gomoa Bewadze.

The Divisional Commander said the suspect also collected 800 Ghana Cedis from Ms Mary Otoo and 1,000.00 Euros from Mr Kweku Nyame, both from Agona Swedru.

DSP Osei- Kwadwo said Gyan-Mensah who after defrauding the people changed her name to Rosemond Hayford.

He said after changing her name, she has been found to have jumped bail at the Police Headquarters for similar offence in 2006. The Divisional Crime Officer said the suspect would be arraigned before Agona Swedru Circuit Court after investigations.