Woman accused of VISA fraud granted GH₵100,000 bail
A 39-year-old unemployed woman, who allegedly defrauded an X-ray technician of GH¢32,000, has been granted bail by the Accra Circuit Court.
Madam Sylvia Naa Dodua Wristberg, allegedly collected the money under the pretence of securing a Canadian VISA for the technician’s wife, but failed to deliver on the agreement.
The woman, who was charged with defrauding by false pretence and conspiracy to commit a crime, pleaded not guilty.
The court presided over by Mrs Afia Owusuaa Appiah, admitted Wristberg to GH¢100,000 bail with two sureties, and directed that one of the sureties should be justified with landed property.
Meanwhile, the judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Wristberg’s accomplice, Patrick Torto, who failed to appear before court, and adjourned the case to July 27, 2023.
Police Chief Inspector Samuel Ahiabor, told the court that the complainant, Mr Dominic Acquah,
an X-Ray technician, resided at Agona-Nkwanta in the Western Region, while Wristberg is a resident of Cape Coast, in the Central Region.
The prosecution said in April 2023, the complainant through a witness in the case applied for the International Congress for Nurses Conference (ICN), which was scheduled to take place in Canada.
Chief Insp Ahiabor said the witness submitted documents to Kenpong Travel and Tours for biometric enrolment and appointment date at the Canadian Embassy, Accra. The prosecution said the complainant received a phone call from Torto, who introduced himself as the protocol officer at the Office of the President Annex, Ridge-Accra.
Chief Insp Ahiabor said Torto further said that he was a National Security operative, who could assist the complainant by using the letterhead of the Office of the President Annex to secure the VISA for his wife.
The court heard that Torto introduced Wristberg to the complainant as his immediate supervisor.
Chief Insp Ahiabor said Wristberg also introduced herself as an Aide to the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, and assured the complainant that she would use her office to secure VISA for his wife, to attend the conference.
The prosecution said Torto invited the complainant to the Office of the President Annex and met him at the car park.
Chief Insp Ahiabor said Torto demanded GH¢20,000 as payment for Wristberg to secure the VISA.
The court heard that Torto went with the complainant to Kenpong Travel and Tour to deliver relevant documents with the promise to facilitate the processing of the VISA. Chief Insp Ahiabor said the complainant gave his wife’s passport to Torto and made a mobile money payment of GH¢10,000 into Wristberg’s mobile money number.
The prosecution said Wristberg and Torto demanded and collected GH¢32,000 from the complainant through Wristberg’s mobile money number on various occasions.
Chief Insp Ahiabor Wristberg and Torto asked the complainant to allow his wife come to Accra to gain travel experience as part of the requirement for obtaining the VISA. —GNA
