‘419’ car dealers arrested


Two suspected fraudsters have been arrested by the police for having allegedly defrauded six people to the tune of GH¢100, 000 under the pretext of selling a car to them.

The suspects are Kwabena Boakye, 40 and Richard Osei Bonsu 41.

They were nabbed after several complaints had been lodged at the Odorkor District Police Command about their nefarious activities.

DSP Emmanuel Osei Agboda, Odorkor District Crime Officer, said the suspects have specific car garages that they operate at Odorkor, a suburb of Accra.

He said the suspects, who claim to be car dealers, lure their victims to selected garages to inspect the vehicles of their choice.

Thereafter, the suspects, according to DSP Agboda tell the prospective buyers that the caretakers at the garage often added their own profits to the prices of the vehicles’ and that they (suspects) could lead them (buyers) to the real owners who would give them (vehicles) to them at cheaper prices.

Suspects then lead the victims to a supposed owner who is also their accomplice, to transact the business with.

The vehicle is then sold at a cheaper price to victims and the money collected by the supposed owner.

Having made the payment, the Crime Officer hinted, the victims were given the keys to go and pick the vehicle parked in the garage in the company of the two arrested suspects, but on the way, they (suspects) would escape, leaving the victims to their fate.

DSP Emmanuel Osei Agboda said after receiving several complaints about their activities and description, police mounted surveillance on suspects and apprehended them from their hideouts at Ablekuma and Race Course in the Ga Central Municipality.

During the month of May 2013, one Samuel Swanzy, who was said to be looking for a second-hand Samsung truck to buy, was introduced to Kwabena Boakye, whose name was given to Samuel Swanzy as ‘Brother Kofi’ by a friend.

On May 17, 2013 Mr. Samuel Swanzy, who lived at Afram Plains, arrived in Accra together with his brother and met the said Brother Kofi for the transaction.

Kwabena Boakye then led him and his brother to Asoredanho near Dansoman Junction where he pointed at a second-hand Samsung truck to them and told diem that it belonged to his (Boakye’s) brother who he said was at Malam with the documents covering the vehicle.

After inspecting the truck the victim expressed interest in it.

According to the Crime Officer, Kwabena Boakye then took the victim and his brother to a certain house at Gbawe where Richard Osei Bonsu was waiting for them.

After bargaining, both suspects collected an amount of GH¢10,000 from the Swanzy (complainant) as part payment.

Having collected the money, the suspects pretended they were going to Dansoman Asoredanho to take the truck to the DVLA office for registration together with the victim and his brother when all of a sudden, they took to their heels.

The victim and his brother went back with intent to take the said truck only to be told that it did not belong to the suspects.

A complaint was lodged with the police and whilst the case was under investigation, the accused persons went to commit a similar offence and were arrested.

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