Edward Mensah
A THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR old man is in the firm grips of the law after being arrested for allegedly defrauding some people under the pretext of facilitating their travel to the United Kingdom (UK).
Edward Mensah, reportedly, collected an amount of money from his unsuspecting victims in December 2023 and then absconded with the money, leaving his distraught victims in limbo.
The suspect, who is believed to reside in the UK, was eventually apprehended at the Prempeh I International Airport in Kumasi on July 19, 2024, to assist police in investigations.
One Matilda Owusu Mensah, who collected an amount of GH¢367,658.98 from five people and transferred to Edward Mensah in the UK, spotted the suspect and called for his arrest.
“On July 19, 2024 about 2030hrs, Matilda Owusu Mensah of Ohwim, off Barekese road, assisted by Airport District patrols arrested and brought to the Airport station, suspect Edward Mensah, 35 years, and the former reported that in December, 2023, the said suspect was introduced to her by one Edward as a traveling agent and that he could facilitate the traveling of people to United Kingdom at a fee.
“Suspect then collected five people’s money to the tune of GH¢367,658.98 from complainant through money transfer to the United Kingdom where suspect was residing, under the pretext of facilitating their travel to the United Kingdom.
“Suspect after collecting the money, failed to facilitate their travel and went into hiding. On July 19, 2024, he was spotted and arrested at Prempeh I International Airport,” a police statement from the Manhyia Division disclosed.
According to the report, sighted by the paper, the woes of the suspect was worsened as other victims of his visa fraud activities, who had gotten wind of his arrest, also visited the police and lodged complaints against him.
“On July 20, 2024 while suspect was in custody, the following complainants also called at the Airport station to report that suspect has collected monies as indicated against their names under the same pretext but failed to do so: Kwasi Yeboah, GH¢182,000; Douglas Adu Nyantakyi, 6,000 British pounds; Prince Osei Mensah, GH¢150,000; Judith Akoa, 5,000 British pounds; Martha Tieme, 6,000 British pounds, and Rosemary Cudjoe, GH¢22,650,” the report added.
The police disclosed that efforts were underway to send the suspect to court, adding that they were also working hard to arrest one Edward, who is linked to the case, to also assist in investigations.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi