Man swindles hairdresser of GH¢50,000 in Visa fraud

Court Gavel

The Circuit Court at Dansoman, near Accra, has granted bail to Wilfred Amesika. He is a 46-year-old self-employed man facing fraud charges. The presiding judge is Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit.

Amesika pleaded not guilty to defrauding by false pretences. This charge falls under Section 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act of 1960 (Act 29). He was granted bail set at GH¢60,000 with three sureties.

Two sureties must be public servants earning at least GH¢2,000 monthly. They also need to live within the court's jurisdiction. As part of his bail conditions, Amesika must deposit his Ghana Card with the court registry.

He is required to report to the police every two weeks. The case has been adjourned until June 18, 2025.

Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder reported on the case details. The complainant, Cynthia Awuni, is a hairdresser who lived in South Africa. She planned to move to Germany to join her fiancé.

A witness named James Baiden introduced her to Amesika. He allegedly promised to secure a German visa for her for GH¢80,000. Awuni returned to Ghana and paid him GH¢50,000 for the visa arrangement.

Despite his assurances, Amesika failed to provide valid documents. Awuni was denied a visa by both the Netherlands and French embassies. Realizing she had been defrauded, she asked for a refund but he went into hiding.

Amesika was later lured out through a proposed new visa deal and arrested by police. During investigations, he admitted receiving the money but claimed it was used for processing requirements instead of securing the visa itself.

The prosecution will continue when the case resumes in June.