52-year-old marketer held for allegedly defrauding police officer of $13,000

A 52-year-old marketer has been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court over allegations that he took $13,000 from a police officer after claiming he could exchange “old” dollar notes for new ones.

Abdul Karim Abubakari has been charged with defrauding by false pretences. He pleaded not guilty, and the court, presided over by Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, ordered that he be kept in police custody until his next appearance on 5 March 2026.

Prosecutors said the complainant, a police officer who lives at Tantra Hills, went with Abubakari to the Stanbic Bank, North Industrial Area branch, in October 2024 to deposit the money into her dollar account.

The court heard that a cashier allegedly told her the notes were old and would have to be replaced before the deposit could be accepted.

Prosecutors said Abubakari then stepped in, offering to help and claiming he had a contact who could swap the bills.

The officer allegedly handed him the $13,000, but prosecutors say the money was never returned.

A report was later made to the police, leading to his arrest.

According to the prosecution, Abubakari admitted in a caution statement that he used the money for his own purposes.