A self-styled businessman Joseph Agyemang and also going by the names Nana Yaw Binney and Nana Yaw Boaitey has allegedly defrauded two employees of the National Signal Bureau.

The civil servants – Louis Batalieka Babalanga and Nana Adjoa Ewudzi Odoom – were defrauded by Joseph with the promise to rent them apartments.

Joseph has, therefore, been accused of two counts of defrauding by false pretences but he has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Accra Circuit Court ‘2’ presided over Rosemary Baah Tosu on Monday granted the accused bail to the sum of GH¢50,000 with two sureties.

The facts before the court are that Louis and Nana Adjoa (complainants) are Public Servants and work with the National Signals Bureau while Joseph Agyemang is a self-styled businessman and lives at Israel near Abeka Lapaz.

During the year 2019, the complainants went on the internet in search of accommodation to rent but not successful. 

Interestingly, few days after they received a phone call from an agent who told them the accused has some properties for rent. 

The complainants expressed interest and after they were sent to inspect the properties at Achimota and Dansoman respectively.

They were led to accused who introduced himself to them as the owner of the properties and also negotiated the rent with them.

After agreeing on a price, Nana Adjoa issued two cheques with a total face value of GH¢20, 000.00 whereas Louis paid GH¢17, 500 into a GT Bank Account owned by the Accused. 

Complainants after making the payments moved into the properties but were informed that the accused does not own those properties.

Although the complainants tried to locate the accused, they were not successful. 

They then proceeded to the bank to prevent the accused from getting access to the money but were told the money has been withdrawn already. 

The complainant reported the matter to the police and investigation conducted disclosed that the accused and other accomplices go around the city to takes pictures of properties at various locations, and post them on the internet to lure unexpected victims.

And after the accused person succeeds in collecting the monies from the victims then goes into hiding. 

Police investigation has revealed that the accused through this modus of operandi to defraud a lot of people. 

The police successfully arrested him on June 12, 2022 and after investigation he was charged with the offence and brought before Court.

The court was told that efforts are underway to apprehend the other accomplices at large and bring them to book. 

 Case adjourned to July 18, 2022.