A 31-year-old businessman who reportedly defrauded five people of GH₵280,046 has appeared before the Accra Circuit Court.

Morrison David Quame is alleged to have collected money from five people under the guise of procuring them USA visas but failed.

Mr Quame has, however, pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding by false pretences.

The court presided over by Isaac Addo admitted the accused to bail in a sum of GH₵350,000 with two sureties.

The court ordered Mr Quame to deposit his passport in the court registry and to report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) every Friday until further notice.

The matter has been adjourned until September 16, 2024.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Seth Frimpong said the complainants in the case are Gideon Amedekanye, Victor Elikem Damalie, Anita Naakai Cofie, Priscilla Nimako Gyebi, and Veronica Amegavi.

The prosecution told the court that in 2023, Mr Quame [accused] informed the complainants about a travelling package that included an exchange programme offered by Hudson Valley Community College in New York, United States of America.

The prosecution said Mr Quame told the complainants that he could secure them USA visas and admissions into the college.

The court heard that the complainants expressed interest in the exchange programme, and after deliberation, Mr Quame charged $8,000 per applicant and demanded and collected an initial deposit of $4,000 each before beginning documentation, with the remainder paid after they received their visas.

The prosecution said that after receiving $18,000 from the complainants, Mr Quame promised to deliver their visas within a month.

Eventually, the prosecution said Mr Quame provided them with a Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019) as a required document to support their visa application.

The prosecution told the court that the complainants went to the US Embassy in Accra and the documents were alleged to have been forged.

It said Mr Quame failed to refund the money to the complainants and started giving excuses.

According to the prosecution, the complainants suspected foul play and reported it to police, which led to Mr Quame's arrest. 

It said that during interrogation and in his cautionary statement, Mr Quame admitted to receiving money from the complainants.

The prosecution told the court that while investigations were underway, Mr Quame failed to report to the police when he was granted enquiry bail and went into hiding.

The police, however, managed to re-arrest Mr Quame when they gathered information that he was about to travel abroad.