A Ghanaian travel and tour operator has been dragged into legal trouble after allegedly defrauding several clients of GH₵388,621 under the pretense of securing travel visas.
The accused, identified as Kankam, was arrested alongside an accomplice, Nti, and both are facing charges of conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretenses. The suspects allegedly promised to secure visas for clients who paid various sums of money for travel arrangements that never materialized.
According to court documents, the victims paid for what they believed were legitimate visa processing and travel packages. However, after several months without progress, they realized they had been duped. Following his arrest, Kankam reportedly refunded GH₵120,000 of the total amount, but a significant portion remains unaccounted for.
The case has reignited public debate about rising visa-related fraud in Ghana’s travel industry. Authorities say many unsuspecting Ghanaians fall victim to such scams every year, often losing their life savings to fraudulent agents who exploit their dreams of traveling abroad.
Legal experts say that even though part of the funds were refunded, the accused could still face severe penalties if found guilty, as Ghana’s criminal code classifies defrauding by false pretenses as a serious offense punishable by imprisonment.
The Ghana Police Service has urged citizens to verify the legitimacy of travel and tour operators before engaging their services, emphasizing that all visa-related transactions should be conducted through accredited and official channels.
The case has been adjourned for further hearing as investigators continue to gather evidence and statements from affected clients.
Source: Thepressradio.com
