Two people have appeared in an Accra Circuit Court, accused of scamming an American of $1,205,000 by fraudulently offering the victim seven 20-footer containers of money.
The charges against businessman Nana Kwame Yanka and auto dealer Dzam Abotsi include deception under false pretences and fraud conspiracy.
The complainant allegedly paid Abotsi $100,500 in addition to an additional $200,000 for container security and rent.
Unknown is the precise sum that other conspirators took from the American.
However, Abotsi and Yanka have both entered not guilty pleas in response to the allegations.
The court chaired by Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah has granted the accused bail in the sum of GHC1 million cedis with three sureties, one of whom must be justified.
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An accomplice, Alhaji Tanko, a businessman facing the same allegations, is presently at large.
The hearing has been rescheduled for November 23, 2023.
The prosecution, led by Superintendent of Police Augustus Yirenkyi, disclosed that the complainant, Gary Bernsten, works as an American Asset Recovery Officer.
Supt. Yirenkyi claims that Yanka and Abotsi reside in Chantan and Sowutuom, respectively.
Bernsten and his Brazilian business companions were notified, according to the prosecution, of a US dollar stockpile concealed in around 20 containers in Ghana.
The prosecution claims that before going to Ghana to recover the money hoard, Bernsten and his friends conducted investigations.
According to the prosecution, Bernsten first encountered Abotsi, the first accused person, when he landed in Ghana.
According to the prosecutor, Bernsten was escorted to a warehouse in Sowutuom and inspected US dollars hidden in around seven containers.
The prosecution said that a forensic examination of the cash in the containers confirmed their legitimacy.
The prosecution further claimed that Abotsi charged the plaintiff $100,500 for security and container rental on top of $200,000 in total.
It was said that wire transfers and bitcoin were used to send the money to Abotsi.
The prosecution claims that, at Abotsi’s suggestion, Bernsten engaged Skynet Logistics to transport the seven containers with the funds to Tema, Community 12.
The prosecutor claims that when Bernsten went back to the warehouse a few days later to carry the containers with the money to Tema Harbour, he discovered it to be empty.
Following a report to the authorities, Abotsi and Yanka were taken into custody.
The prosecution is presently working to capture Alhaji Tanko and other people who are still at large.
