More than 200 traders at the Berekum Central and Senase markets in the Bono Region say they have been defrauded after paying registration fees to a group of individuals who promised them loans of up to GH¢10,000.

The mostly female traders reportedly paid amounts ranging between GH¢250 and GH¢500 as processing and registration fees, with the expectation of receiving loans of GH¢5,000 and GH¢10,000 respectively.

However, after collecting the monies, the alleged fraudsters have disappeared without a trace.

Victims of the suspected scam cut across several trading lines at the market, including tomatoes, fish, clothing materials, vegetables and tubers.

The Queen Mother of the dry fish (Mponam) line, Nana Akua Serwaa, told JoyNews that the suspected fraudsters asked her to help mobilise traders, claiming they had been sent to support market women with accessible loans.

She said the group assured them the registration process was legitimate, only to vanish after collecting the fees.

A yam trader, Madam Beatrice Boabeng, also lamented that all efforts to reach the individuals after payments were made have been unsuccessful, describing the situation as devastating for traders who were hoping to expand their businesses.

Another victim, Abenaa Meayaa, has appealed to the police and government authorities to urgently intervene and track down the perpetrators, warning that more unsuspecting traders could fall victim if swift action is not taken.

The affected traders are calling for justice and the retrieval of their monies as investigations into the alleged scam are expected to begin.