A businessman, Maurice Osei-Anim, has been arrested for allegedly trying to use the Interior Minister, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka’s name to defraud unsuspecting individuals in Accra.
According to reports, the Ministry received intelligence indicating that the suspect, Osei-Anim, was allegedly operating a fraudulent scheme under the name of Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka.
His modus operandi included luring unsuspecting individuals with false claims that he had a cordial relationship with Muntaka and that he could facilitate the travel of others outside the country with the minister.
He is alleged to have reportedly informed two individuals, Mohammed Amoah and Israel Geraldo, that the Minister was preparing to have “a global tour”.
He allegedly claimed to have been placed in a position to recruit individuals who have the desire to join the supposed “global tour” of the minster and approached Amoah and Geraldo with the idea.
The duo, who are currently assisting the police as witnesses, allegedly showed interest and agreed to have a meeting with him at the Accra Mall.
However, personnel from the Ministry of the Interior who were acting on a tip-off arrested the accused at the meeting point and subsequently handed him over to the police.
According to the facts of the case presented to Circuit Court 11 in Accra, Osei-Anim admitted to the offence during interrogations and mentioned the name of one “Daniel” as the brain behind the scheme.
The prosecution further indicated to the court that a search conducted on Osei-Anim led to the discovery of two Ghanaian passports in his possession.
However, suspect Osei-Anim pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempting to commit a crime, specifically defrauding by false pretence.
Her Honour Basilia Adjei-Tawiah, who presided over the case, granted the accused bail of GH¢70,000 with two sureties, one to be justified and the other to be a civil servant earning a minimum monthly salary of GH¢2,500.
Suspect Osei-Anim is to reappear in court on October 30, 2025.
Police said they are working to arrest the individual mentioned as the ringleader of the scheme.
