The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested a notorious fraudulent car dealer who has been duping unsuspecting customers.

Sixty-two year old Osei Nyarko is said to have a criminal record and is described by police as king-pin of vehicle fraud for about 20 years.

Three others, Yaw Koranteng, Kwabena Boakye and Evelyn Prempeh, are on the run for similar offences.

Since last month, Osei has swindled five people to the tone of over 150,000 Ghana cedis under the guise of selling them vehicles.

Briefing the media on Nyarko’s modus operandi, Regional Police Commander, DCOP Kofi Boakye, said the suspect has jumped bail several times.

“The latest offence took place on the 8^th of September this year when Osei Nyarko met one victim Opoku and offered to sell his Pontiac saloon car to him. The victim later asked his wife to have the car examined. After agreeing to buy the car, the suspect took his victim to Manhyia Hospital ostensibly to give her the papers of the vehicle. Through devious means he ended up swindling the woman and made away with 25,000 Ghana Cedis,” DCOP Kofi Boakye recounted.

DCOP Boakye also advised the public to buy cars only from accredited dealers. He however observed that some accredited dealers connive with the fraudsters to dupe the public.

He noted this kind of fraud is rampant in the Kumasi Metropolis and many individuals have fallen victim to the deception.

In a related development, police have picked up five suspected armed believed to be on a robbery mission at Antoakrom in the Amansie West District.

Fire arms and live ammunition, together with military uniforms were found on them upon a search.