Trader remanded over alleged GH¢400,000 car-snatching scheme

A trader accused of using a fake car-buying arrangement to rob a businessman of his Mitsubishi Montero has been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court.

Emmanuel Yaw Duku, also known as Obed Blankson or “Cocoa Krakye,” has been charged in connection with the alleged robbery of the vehicle valued at GH¢400,000.

The 57-year-old pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors say he acted together with two alleged accomplices, identified only as Kofi and “Air Force,” who are currently on the run.

The complainant, Joseph Bright Dankwah, is a businessman living at Kasoa Domeabra.

He had reportedly displayed his contact number on an unregistered ash-coloured Mitsubishi Montero Station Wagon he intended to sell.

According to the prosecution, Duku contacted him on June 26, 2025, claiming he was interested in buying the vehicle.

The two initially agreed to meet at Galilea Market, opposite the Ga South Municipal Assembly.

Duku later allegedly told Mr Dankwah that he was busy at work and would send another person to inspect the vehicle on his behalf.

That person, identified as Kofi, allegedly directed the complainant to a nearby untarred road.

Prosecutors say the complainant was attacked there, and the vehicle was taken away.

The case was first reported to the Amanfrom Police before being transferred to the CID Headquarters for further investigations.

Investigators later found that the phone number used to contact the complainant had been switched off shortly after the incident.

The prosecution said Duku was eventually arrested on April 20, 2026, by the National Police Intelligence Directorate in connection with another suspected car-snatching case.

At the time of his arrest, he was allegedly found with a stolen Hyundai Elantra.

A search of his residence reportedly uncovered several pre-registered Telecel and AirtelTigo SIM cards.

Police say one of the SIM cards found was the same number used to contact Mr Dankwah before the alleged robbery.

During interrogation, Duku allegedly admitted his role in the offence and mentioned Kofi and “Air Force” as his accomplices.

He is said to have told investigators that “Air Force” informed him of the plan to snatch the Montero.

Police later traced the stolen vehicle to another alleged accomplice, Kofi Asante, who had reportedly bought it for GH¢80,000.

On May 1, 2026, Duku led investigators to the Awudome car park, where the vehicle was retrieved.

The prosecution said the car had been resprayed and its chassis number tampered with.

Investigators also allege that Duku regularly acquired pre-registered SIM cards for fraudulent activities and discarded them after use.

Police say efforts are underway to arrest the remaining suspects.