Businessman in court for allegedly defrauding police officer in GH¢72,000 auction car deal

A 46-year-old businessman has appeared before the Circuit Court on charges of defrauding a police officer of GH¢72,000 in order to secure two auctioned vehicles.

The prosecution stated that George Adu-Twum committed the alleged offense in 2021. He pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding by false pretenses.

Presiding judge Isaac Addo granted Adu-Twum bail set at GH¢75,000 with two sureties and adjourned the case to April 7, 2025. The judge also directed the prosecution to comply with disclosure requirements.

According to Chief Inspector Daniel Ofori-Appiah, the prosecutor, the complainant, a police officer residing in Weija SCC, Accra, was introduced to the accused through a friend when his relatives needed a Toyota Pickup and a Hyundai i30 sedan.

Adu-Twum allegedly met the officer at Abelemkpe, pointed out the vehicles as auctioned items, and claimed immediate payment was required due to high demand. The officer raised GH¢72,000, paying GH¢40,000 at Adu-Twum’s office in Abelemkpe and an additional GH¢32,000 at the complainant’s office at the Ministries.

The businessman assured the officer that the vehicles would be delivered within a week. However, after receiving the money, he reportedly went into hiding until his arrest on January 15, 2025.

Investigations revealed that Adu-Twum had refunded GH¢25,000. The case is ongoing.