JustAnswer (dot) com SCAM WARNING!!!!!

Ever searched for legal advice online?

Heard of JustAnswer . com ?  WARNING! That is a 100% scam! How it works: You land at their website, as you are searching, as an example for legal advice. Instantly, you will see a "Live" chat box right hand:

Read below + screenshots, of what happens!

Pearl Wilson, Lawyer's Assistant

Welcome! How can I help with your legal question?

Your answers or text can be anything... like;

Pearl Wilson, Lawyer's Assistant

Welcome! How can I help with your legal question?

You

How is the weather?

Pearl Wilson, Lawyer's Assistant

What state is this in? It matters because laws vary by location.

See here a screenshot:

Scam "Live" Chat!

So, below that is how it turns out finally! 
There is NO "Live" Chat!

After redirection to the payment page, a window pops up, overlaying the small print, that they charge you anyhow amount from your card!

Because you want an answer, you don't mind paying $5 refundable deposit..., as stated on their main page, before you got redirected!

Ely

Counselor at Law

Private practice with focus on family, criminal, PI, consumer protection, and business consultation.


24661 Satisfied customers

Why do you read now, below, "Virtual Assistant avatar"?
I just copy and past the "Live" chat into WordPad, and then copy past it here. So, the picture is actually even named "Virtual Assistant avatar"...

Virtual Assistant avatar
Pearl Wilson, Lawyer's Assistant

Welcome! How can I help with your legal question?

You

How is the weather?

Virtual Assistant avatar
Pearl Wilson, Lawyer's Assistant

What state is this in? It matters because laws vary by location.

You

Antartica under the ice

Virtual Assistant avatar
Pearl Wilson, Lawyer's Assistant

What steps have been taken so far?

You

First upper steps. 10 more to go.

Virtual Assistant avatar
Pearl Wilson, Lawyer's Assistant

Anything else you want the lawyer to know before I connect you?

You

No, I know now, that you are a SCAM!

Virtual Assistant avatar
Pearl Wilson, Lawyer's Assistant


OK. Got it. I'm sending you to a secure page on JustAnswer so you can place the $5 fully-refundable deposit now. While you're filling out that form, I'll tell the Lawyer about your situation and then connect you two. Continue >>
(All is automatic setup!!!!!)

Please REPORT this as a FRAUD instantly to your Bank, so that you can claim the money back!
What happens when you do this:
Your bank will block your card, you used. They will issue you a new one, fast.
Make a screenshot with your phone! (if you don't have one on your computer) 
After the dispute, you will have your money back! (example VISA is 100% Fraud Protected)

All is automatic setup!
You may check this yourself: HERE the DIRECT LINK (New Window). Write any rubbish, the "answers" are always the same!!!!!  https://www.justanswer.com/sip/law

One Day in Accra, Ghana - Time Lapse Video of Osu, Independence Square, ...

Ghana is not just know for scam, but also as a good, and peaceful holiday destination, in West Africa!

Check our latest short video:

MTN renews its commitment to fighting cyber crime - Ghana Dating Scam - Ghana`s 1st Anti Fraud Website!

MTN renews its commitment to fighting cyber crime - Ghana Dating Scam - Ghana`s 1st Anti Fraud Website!



Telecommunication giant MTN is asking individuals and corporate institutions to be vigilant to prevent cyber fraud

This comes on the back of several complaints from MTN customers who have fallen victims to cyber fraud.

The General Manager of MTN Mobile Money, Eli Hini in an interview with thebftonline.com on the sidelines of a mobile money capacity building for media organisations, an initiative between MTN Mobile Money and e-Crime Bureau, said mobile money fraud is a serious cause for concern for the telecom giant.

Germany Resettlement scam - Ghana Dating Scam - Ghana`s 1st Anti Fraud Website!

Germany Resettlement scam - Ghana Dating Scam - Ghana`s 1st Anti Fraud Website!



Within the waters of Geman chancellor Merkels mad move to open the gates of Europe to millions of "refugees", there is a new scam emerging! The "Germany Resettlement" Scam - targeting this time all non European citizens, who would want to go to Germany or Europe, but have not  moved forward yet!
We can assure you, 100%, that this is a fake!

Happy New Year - in Advance! - Ghanaweb News

Happy New Year - in Advance! - Ghanaweb News

Happy New Year! And Please Don`t Get Scammed! We Are There To Help! Your Ghana-Net.com Team!

Ghana Hotels Association launches National Awards - GhanaHotels.biz

Ghana Hotels Association launches National Awards - GhanaHotels.biz

Radio Kuia Bue FM, Rádio Angola - Radio Angola, Live - Kizomba, African Hits, Pop, Electro House, World Music - Angola.Radio-Live.co

Radio Kuia Bue FM, Rádio Angola - Radio Angola, Live - Kizomba, African Hits, Pop, Electro House, World Music - Angola.Radio-Live.co

Gold Scam - Danish man loses $93,000 to 3 Gold & Dating Scammers

The "Standard" Dating Scam goes often hand in hand with an Gold Scam! 
This kind of scams are generated mainly from Ghana, by Ghanaian or Nigerian criminals.

Follow news story is from June 2016, for arrests taken out March 2016. But this scams happen all the time, on a daily basis!

* Please be aware, that you`ll loose large sums of money, if you fall on this gangsters!

Gold Scam Story, in combination with Dating Scam

Three persons are before an Accra circuit court for allegedly defrauding one Poul Muller, a Danish consultant, in the sum of $93,200.

They are Karim Yahaya, unemployed; Desmond Agyei Asamoah, security man and Vanessa Twumasi, student, all based in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

The trio according to the prosecutor, Chief Superintendent Duuti Tuaruka, between January and February this year in Accra and Kumasi, conspired and defrauded Poul by falsely claiming that...

Karim was one Rose Gary, a white lady resident in Ghana who could supply him with gold.

Karim has been slapped with other charges of forgery of documents.

Other accomplices: Jacinta Konadu, seamstress and Asamoah have been charged with money laundering while one Rahim Yahaya, unemployed and Jacinta also face an additional charge of abetment of crime.

In a court presided over by Aboagye Tandoh, the accused persons variously denied the charges and were remanded until June 14.

The facts of the case are that in August 2015, Karim sent a mail to Poul posing as a white lady by name Rose Gary and informed the complainant that he was a nursing student in Neuman, a private university in Kumasi.

The prosecution said Karim and Vanessa communicated on Skype with Poul in order to confirm that he (Karim) was a lady, adding that based on this, Poul fell in love with Karim "Rose Gary".

Chief Supt Tuaruka said in October 2015, Karim forged Ghana Police Service official documents to support his claim that he "Rose Gary" had had an accident and needed to pay a court fine based on which he collected $8,000 through Western Union money transfer.

The police officer said Karim, still posing as Rose, forged Ghana Health Service documents and with them, collected $8,000 from Poul and that in January 2016, Karim and Jacinta spoke to the complainant as the’ white lady and informed him of an inheritance of gold left behind by the late parents which was in the custody of Kosa Security and Safe Keeping, a company based in’ Kumasi.

The prosecutor said that Asamoah, posing as a lawyer, sent a confirmation to Poul that the said gold was in safe hands.

He said Karim and Jacinta sent Poul·their Ecobank account numbers for an amount of $75,000 to be paid in for the payment of court charges, Ghana Customs charges and transfer of ownership of the inheritance into the name of the said Rose for shipment to Poul.

Accused persons, in their quest to convince Poul, forged and sent him Registrar General Department’s certificate to commence business, Ghana Bar Association certificate of membership, Ministry of Interior certificate of membership and Ghana Health Service official receipt.

In February 2016, Poul paid $20,000 and $55,000 into the accounts of Jacinta and Asamoah respectively. They withdrew the amounts from their accounts and handed over same to Karim, who gave them GH¢10,500 and GH¢6,500 respectively as their shares of the booty.

In March 2016, Poul Muller was invited by the accused persons to Ghana to meet Karim and also collect the gold, but he became stranded at the Kotoka International Airport, leading to the arrests of the accused persons at their various hideouts.

Ten SCAMMERS arrested for ‘Sakawa’ at Alhaji Tabora

Ten SCAMMERS arrested for ‘Sakawa’ at Alhaji Tabora (News of December 14, 2016)

* "Sakawa" is the name, given locally, to fraudsters. Ghana has become the HOT SPOT for internet scams.

The "share of scammers: About 50% are Nigerians, and about 50% Ghanaians. (as English speaking).

Not counted scams, carried out via the French language. As English is widely spoken, worldwide, the majority of the scams is "English". There are scams in German as well. Mainly dating and Gold Scams.

The Story

Ten people suspected to be involved in cyber fraud, popularly known as ‘Sakawa’, have been arrested at Alhaji Tabora, near Lapaz, in the Accra metropolis.

The suspects, who use the Internet to obtain payments falsely through various types of electronic transactions are said to have operated in a rented house at Alhaji Tabora.

The police gave their names as Issah Future, 27; Frederick Gyasi 23; Ditamel Boateng, 21; Dominic Acquaye 28 and Obed Sam, 21.

The rest are Danlad Saed, 24; Hudson Ansah, 21, Nhyiraba Kwabena, 23, and Richmond Agbozo 28.

They are said to have defrauded their victims, who are mostly foreigners, of unspecified amounts of money.

Intelligence 

Briefing journalists in Accra, the Director of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Chief Superintendent of Police Mr Herbert Gustav Yankson, said the suspects were nabbed following police intelligence on the activities of young men engaged in the criminal activity of obtaining electronic payments falsely.

The activities of the young men, he said, were contrary to Section 119 of the Electronic Transaction Act.

He said the police, after conducting a search of the house where the suspects were arrested, retrieved eight laptops, an HP system unit and 15 mobile phones believed to be the gadgets used by the suspects to aid their illegal transactions.

Recruitment 

Preliminary investigations conducted following the arrest of the suspects, Mr Gustav said, indicated that they used the money they obtained illegally to buy electronic gadgets, including 50-inch flat-screen television sets, laptops, tablets and mobile phones.

He said the police had observed a recent trend in the country where masterminds of cyber fraud recruited young men who had skills and knowledge in information technology (IT) for such activities.

When the young IT-inclined men succeeded with their cyber activities, Mr Gustav said, the booty was shared with their paymasters.

He said the Cyber Crime Unit had received numerous complaints from Interpol about cyber fraud activities from Ghana in recent times.

To curb the activities of cyber crimes, he said, the Cyber Crime Unit was embarking on an operation to clamp down on cyber criminals.

He advised the public to exercise due diligence when transacting any form of business on the Internet and urged the youth to desist from cyber crimes.

The maximum punishment for any culprit, he said, could be a jail term of 10 years if found guilty.

* If you think, that you might be in contact with scammers, please get back to us!

Hi Friend (Can you handle USD$21.5M?)

There we are.., an other scam, generated from Ghana, by Ghanaian or Nigerian fraudsters!
If you receive a mail like this, please ignore, and delete.
All they want is YOUR money.
Unfortunately, and up to date, many victims fall for this kind of scam.
Blaming the scammers is easy, but victims have to blame them self as well. They also often have "$$$ signs" in their eyes!

Below the mail. Please be aware, that the sender mail may change, all the time.

Subject: Hi Friend (Can you handle USD$21.5M?)
From: "Mr. Martin Kofi Adu" <admin@dp-tuning.com>
Date: Sat, November 12, 2016 3:02 am

Hi Friend (Can you handle USD$21.5M?)

Good day,

Can you handle USD$21.5M for a contract (GNPC) investment fund,(FIXED) deposited and
i'll like to know how you can be trusted to execute this project with me?

If yes, Please kindly get back to me with your direct Cell-phone Number,Home
Telephone Number and Contact Address if you can really be trusted, to enable us
discuss further.

I await your prompt response.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr. Martin Kofi Adu, Manager,
Engineering and Head of Project and
Planning of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC)

Sakawa boys caged

Sakawa boys caged

The Nsawam magistrate court (Ghana), presided over by Mrs. Ellen Serwa Mireku, on Tuesday remanded the seven persons suspected to be perpetrators of internet fraud (‘sakawa’) into prison custody for their alleged roles in the murder of a seven-year-old boy, Michael Kwaku Ofosu.... - 20.05.2015 -

Read the full story the Scam / Fraudsters & Killers (New Window)

For free advise: GhanaDatingScam.ghana-net.net  (Supporting victims - FREE - since 2007!)

Estimated 1 in 4 relationships now begin with contact over the internet

Estimated 1 in 4 relationships now begin with contact over the internet. 

If via dating websites or Social Media. Many people searching online for love and potential partners. As it is easy, to make contacts with prospective partners internationally, so is online dating scam growing. Unfortunately - Ghana is among the top of the list, regarding internet fraud.

Internet Dating (and Business / Gold) Fraud

This type of fraud is aimed at individuals who have profiles on dating sites and the scammers are usually well organised and prepared to take advantage of their intended victims.
We have had requests from many people, and where-ever possible, we help.

Be aware, that scammers are very smart and will most likely have created false profiles to blend in. 

Contact Us today,  if you are in any way unsure of the person you are communicating with online. We can conduct a background check on your potential partner, to find out whether or not they truly are, who they claim to be. Don`t be a victim of internet dating fraud. Take control!

Sakawa (Internet Scam) boys busted at Kumasi Airport

Sakawa (Internet Scam) boys busted at Kumasi Airport

"ACP Ampofo Duku, Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, who was addressing the media, said Boakye, earlier in May this year, started sending a picture of a pretty-looking female porn star to Karmakis in Greece as himself, via the internet."


Isaac Boakye Yiadom, an alleged internet fraud (Sakawa) kingpin in Kumasi, who allegedly posed as a woman on the internet in an attempt to defraud a Brazilian, Dionisio Karmakis an amount of $2,150, has been busted.

The suspect, after allegedly convincing the Brazilian to sponsor his travel to Greece where Karmakis is based, reportedly forged an invoice of Africa Origin Travel and Sports Tourism Company with the face value of $2,150, being part of the cost of his travel to Greece.

Unknown to Boakye, the Brazilian had become suspicious of his actions so he (Karmakis) contacted Africa Origin office in Kumasi on the phone and he was told that Boakye was a fraudster so he (Karmakis) should assist the company to arrest him (Boakye) immediately.

On May 12, 2015, Nadia, a staff of Africa Origin, with the advice of the police, posed as a Whirlpool Company agent who had been engaged by Mr. Karmakis to deliver an amount of money to Boakye at the Kumasi Airport.

Boakye’s wife, Abigail Nyarko, was to receive the money on behalf of her husband, who together with three other people – Richard Addai, Gideon Kyeremanteng and Stephen Oppong, a driver – waited patiently for their booty in a taxi at the Kumasi Airport.

The police, who were monitoring the happening at the airport, immediately grabbed Abigail after Nadia had handed to her an amount of GH¢2,000. She also led the police to apprehend her cohorts, including Boakye.

ACP Ampofo Duku, Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, who was addressing the media, said Boakye, earlier in May this year, started sending a picture of a pretty-looking female porn star to Karmakis in Greece as himself, via the internet.

According to him, Boakye initially managed to convince Mr. Karmakis that he is indeed a female who was ready to travel to Greece so that they could get married and happily live together as husband and wife.

ACP Duku said Karmakis therefore accepted to bear all the cost involving Boakye’s supposed travel so he told him (Boakye) to look for a travel agent in Ghana who could facilitate his smooth travel.

Boakye, who was on a mission to defraud the Brazilian, forged Africa Origin invoice to dupe Karmakis, but the Brazilian who had become suspicious, contacted Africa Origin officials in Kumasi, resulting in the arrest of Boakye and his accomplices.  Source: Daily Guide Ghana / 15.05.2015

***** For more info & free advice - visit our Dating & Gold Scam website!

Gold Mining to Die For - How illegal miners risk their life!

Gold Mining to Die For - How illegal miners risk their life!

Gold Scam is an much easier "business"... Mostly white foreigners fall on that scam. Often even offered by an "white" girl.
Real (illegal) gold mining people loose their life, for this golden dream. Foreigners, usually loose money (only)...

Common in both cases: It`s illegal!  

3 die in a mining pit at Charikpong

Source: Citifmonline.com (Ghana) / 15.05.2015

The Chari cluster of communities in the Nadowli-Kaleo District (NKD) of the Upper West Region was Wednesday thrown into a state of mourning after a mining pit collapsed and killed three people in the area.

Details of the names of deceased were not readily available but the three, all men, were among sixteen other people doing illegal mining in the pit when it collapsed at about 12 noon on Wednesday.

Citi News’ sources at the collapsed pit who pleaded anonymity said two of the deceased were from Charikpong Nanga and Chari Konneh respectively while the other one hailed from Kaleo, all in the NKD.

An eyewitness said it took local rescue team more than three hours to save the illegal miners but the three could not survive the heat and multiple wounds.

“Our boys did their best but because we did not have machines to dig, it took quite a long time to save them from the heat. By the time we got them the three had died because aside the heat they got some serious breakages in almost all parts of their bodies,” the source narrated.

He added that they could not contact the National Disaster management organization (NADMO) because “as you can see we have no telecommunication network here and those who could go with motorbikes to report were those engaged in the rescue process.”

At the time of filing this report, ASP George Adanue, Nadowli-Kaleo District Police Commander, in an interview with Citi News said his outfit was yet to receive a formal complaint from the community about the incident.

“What we have heard so far can be described as rumor; the community is not ready to assist in our investigation. So we are still putting pieces of information together. We will let you know when we are done,” ASP Geourge Adanue said.

Meanwhile, Citi News can report that illegal mining (galamsey) activities has increased in the Chari Cluster of communities following the discovery of large deposit of gold in the area by an Australian mining company (Azumah Resources) .

Inside the world of Ghana`s Internet fraudsters

Official: Ghana is among the first top three countries in Africa where people indulge in cyber fraud!

You Need To Read:

• Inside the world of Ghana's internet fraudsters
• US man sends $7,000 to scammer in Ghana
• Read here a conversation that ensued between a Journalist and a smart looking 16-year old in Accra, (name withheld) who engages in "control", one of the two main forms of internet fraud that a considerable number of Accra`s youth have found a job in.

Visit our newly updated and now mobile-friendly website, and read the latest about Ghana-Nigerian Dating & Gold Scam! 

Above links open a new Tap or Window!

Happy New Year with less Ghana and Nigerian Dating and Gold Scam

Happy New Year with less Ghana and Nigerian Dating and Gold Scam!

We wold like to thank all visitors and followers of our blog and website (www.ghanadatingscam.ghana-net.net/) , for spreading the message about Ghana / Nigerian Scam!

We work hard to reach more and more people, to educate and inform about this ongoing scams!

We found some time and updated our websites, for easier use. Added more pictures of fake documents and passports. Our next step will be, to publish some of the E-mails, we received, regarding scams.
Feel free and comment our work, as this will help each of us, to catch that fraudster, before victims loose their hard earned savings!

Six Nigerians in court for fraud

Six Nigerians in court for fraud

Source: GNA (7.08.2013)

Six Nigerians on Tuesday appeared before an Accra circuit court charged with various offences ranging from impersonation, forgery of document, possession of forged documents, conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretences.

The six, Alex Owheri, alias Nii Kotey Ashie, Stanley Ufoma Shekiri, alias Volta Security Officer, Eric Michael, alias Chemical Dealer, Kelechi Jolly Chukwumeychey, Manice Enues Chukudi, alias Barrister’s driver and Jimi Sulemana Abass, alias Abacha.

They all pleaded not guilty and were remanded into prison custody to reappear on August 21.

Four of them were charged for conspiracy to commit crime and defrauding by false pretence, whilst Alex Owheri and Eric Michael were charged for forgery of documents.

The facts of the case as presented by Deputy Superintendant of Police Abraham Annor are that, the complainant Jiri Marcanik is a Czech National, whilst all the accused persons are Nigerians living in Ghana.

He said about four years ago, the suspects at various times conspired and lured the complainant with the promise that they could assist him to buy gold in Ghana.



DSP Annor said in the course of the negotiations, the suspects succeeded in defrauding the complainant to the tune of $11,500 and 30,000.

He said Alex, the first accused, posed as one lawyer Kotey Ashie and forged various documents consisting of an application endorsement form with the coat of arms and office of the president embossed on it, a Ministry of External Affairs receipt No. 0523, with a face value of $8,700.

He also forged a UN Security Department Appointment permit, a Ghana Bar Association document certifying the name of Lawyer Kotey Ashie as a true member of the association, a UN Money Laundering certificate, IRS Tax Clearance certificate and a Non-Inspection Movement certificate.

The prosecution told the court that these documents were used in enticing complainant into parting with various sums of monies to the suspects.

He said on July 28, one Peter, now at large, together with Alex, Ufoma, Eric, Kelechi and Manice informed the complainant on his arrival to Ghana on July 20 that the gold had been impounded by the Police.

The prosecutor said Peter and Ufoma then demanded 2,000 dollars, from complainant to give to the Police for the release of the gold, while Alex also demanded an extra cash of 3,100 dollars for demurrage.

The prosecution said on July 31, Alex, Ufoma, Eric, Kelechi and Manice called complainant on different occasions to meet them with $7,100 for the settlements. He said the complainant became suspicious and informed the Police about the activities of the suspects.

The complainant then arranged with the Police to have them arrested. Alex was arrested with all his forged documents whilst Eric was arrested in the company of Kelechi.

DSP Annan told the court that Jimi later called and directed complainant to come along with the $2,000 to the Kingsby roundabout area in Achimota, to enable him to inspect the gold, but he was trailed and arrested.

He said on August 1, their various apartments were searched and a lot of SIM Cards, clandestine documents for defrauding their victims and a laptop with a forged soft copy of Ecobank International Certificate and other documents were uncovered.

* Advise: NEVER send money to Ghana / Africa without a background check!
  There are many fraudsters out, using fake hospitals and non existent white girls, to get your money!
  Need a check? Contact us directly via our website; ghanadatingscam.ghana-net.net

Fake Ghana Police Recruiters Busted...

As you may see... There are many ways of SCAM/FRAUD in Ghana! Some are targeting Ghanaians, but most often foreigners from Australia, US, Britain or Germany! Our advise: If you receive any "documents" from your "Date" in Ghana... send it directly to ghananet-net@hotmail.co.uk 

Daily Guide Ghana - 09.08.2012 -

SOME UNSUSPECTING residents in and around Kumasi metropolis have fallen victim to the fraudulent activities of two young men who allegedly posed as police officer and human resource agent for their respective organisations in a phony enlistment programme.

The suspects, Kwadwo Afriyie, 45, a tile layer, and Mark Yama, 26, unemployed, are currently in police custody, assisting with investigations.

They were arrested on August 3, 2012 separately at their hideouts in the city when information about their fraudulent activities got to the police.

DCOP Augustine Gyening, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, told journalists that Kwadwo Afriyie, who posed as a police officer, had in his possession some forged documents bearing the Ghana Police Service (GPS) logo.

According to him, the suspect used the said documents in collecting various sums of money from his unsuspecting victims under the pretext of facilitating their recruitment into the service.

The police chief stated that the fake police officer, in one of his fraudulent moves to convince people to apply for the enlistment, contacted a complainant to pay him GH¢1,200 to ensure an easy sail into the service.

The complainant, who became suspicious, reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the suspect, DCOP Gyening indicated.

The police found on him fake police medical and recruitment forms, a stamp, and a letter embossed with GPS logo purporting to postpone police training at the various centres across the country, due to President John Atta Mills’ death.

In the case of suspect Mark Yama, he made a representation to his victims as a human resource agent of a supposed Cable Gold Consult Internet in Kumasi, claiming to recruit qualified persons as marketing officers for the said company.

The suspect was said to have managed to swindle victims of his scam sums of money as an interview fee that was pegged at GH¢15 per head.

After collecting their monies, DCOP Gyening said, the suspect could not take the victims to where the supposed company was located when he met them at the Adehyeman Gardens area in Kumasi.

He disclosed that the fraudster had asked the victims, who were from different parts of the country, to converge on the Adehyeman Gardens area to be taken to their will-be employers for orientation.

The police commander intimated that the victims became suspicious of Mark Yama and alerted the police about his activity, leading to his arrest.

The suspect admitted to the offence during police interrogation, indicating that he was working for a non-existing company, said DCOP Gyening.

Yama told police investigators he went into the fraudulent business after falling victim to it once when he completed school and was looking for a job.

Visit also: Ghana Dating Scam - Victim Support Website

When Are We Going To Rid Ghana Of The Online Fraudsters

    Ghana Dating Scam - Victim Support Website

Who Have Turned It Into A Global Superpower In Online Fraud?

By Kofi Thompson  - 08.08.2012

? I read a horrific story about internet romance fraud that made me so angry I felt I had to write an article demanding that Ghana's Parliament passes a law prescribing a mandatory jail sentence for all those involved in internet fraud.

It is giving Ghana a very bad name it most certainly does not deserve. It is an intolerable situation - especially as there are countless opportunities online for those interested in genuine business.

Unfortunately the fast wireless broadband internet offered by telcos in Ghana, has attracted a motley group of online crooks from all over West Africa, to our country.

Together with local online fraudsters - known as Sakaawa - they've succeeded in turning Ghana into a global superpower in online fraud.

And it is monstrous that they can get away with online fraud, such as the culled story below that I chanced upon, when researching the UK's Telegraph newspaper's online edition's tech-section, for news about the latest technology hardware and happenings.

It is time Ghana's executive branch of government and Parliament took steps to deal with this menace and abomination once and for all. Why do they not solicit for technical assistance from police forces in the UK, the EU and USA, I ask?

The culled Telegraph story below speaks for itself. It was written as far back 2nd May 2010 by Harriet Alexander. Please read on:

"British victim of 'romance fraud' tells of ordeal

As police arrest a man suspected to be behind the most serious case of 'romance fraud' to date, Harriet Alexander talks to the victim.

The British victim struck up a relationship over the internet with a man she believed to be an American soldier serving in Iraq.

Sarah Cook thought she had met someone special. The mother of two children had done what many lonely Britons do, and registered with an internet dating site.

Within weeks of entering a new online world of flirtation and romance, she met a US army sergeant serving in Iraq. They would chat online almost daily, swapping stories about his life on base with hers in a West Country town, and over the next 18 months their relationship deepened.

Mrs Cook, 52, was fascinated by his stories of dodging bombs, coping with explosions and living in the Iraqi desert. She would not say she was falling in love, but she was excited by this intriguing soldier with whom she felt she had a genuine connection — so much so that she was willing to help him financially.

But the charming American was not what he appeared. A few days ago, police in Ghana arrested Maurice Asola Fadola, 31, the man suspected of posing as the soldier and conning Mrs Cook out of £271,000.

Her case is thought to be the most serious example of a new kind of fraud, with international con men preying on emotionally vulnerable westerners. Police estimate that Britons are losing hundreds of millions of pounds through internet dating sites in “romance frauds”.

Mrs Cook (not her real name) does not appear a gullible or foolish woman. Yet, like other victims of the frauds, she was slowly and skilfully drawn in to a web of deceit woven by a resourceful and apparently talented liar.

Over months of online chatting she felt that she was really getting to know the American soldier, who went by the name of Steven Westmore.

He told her he was a year younger than her, and was ready to leave the army. He had a house in Texas, his son was studying medicine and his wife had died in a car crash — a common line used by such con men, police say. He sent her pictures depicting himself as a rugged, stetson-wearing American. She hoped they could meet once he left Iraq.

But when that time came, Steven told her things had gone wrong.

“We never spoke on the phone, as he told me they weren’t allowed mobile phones on army bases,” she said. “But one day, over instant messenger, Steven told me he had a problem. He was preparing to leave and had sent his luggage back to the States with a friend, a diplomat from Trinidad, who had to travel via Ghana.

“But the Ghanaian authorities had impounded Steven’s luggage, and so I had to call Steven’s friend in Ghana to sort it out. And it turned out the friend needed £2,300 to release the luggage.

“I relayed this information to Iraq. And Steven said, 'I can’t do anything from here in the desert. Can you help?’?”

Mrs Cook took the first step down what proved to be a slippery slope to financial disaster. She sent the money to Ghana via MoneyGram on the promise that she would be repaid once Steven was back home.

But this was just the beginning. Next day she was told there were further problems and more money was needed: £20,000. Steven let Mrs Cook know that inside the suitcases was $8?million (£5.2?million) he had smuggled out of Iraq.

Most people, however kindly disposed, would surely have baulked at this point and, with hindsight, Mrs Cook can see that for herself. But although her husband knew she had been on a dating website, the couple operated a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach within their marriage and Mrs Cook had told no one about her online relationship with Steven. There was nobody to make her see common sense.

“I just thought, 'Oh no, what have I got myself into here?’?” Mrs Cook said last week, wiping away tears. “I wanted to get my money back, and you end up thinking, well, if there is $8?million there, it doesn’t matter having to spend money as I will get my money back once the suitcases are released.”

Now dealing solely by telephone with the contact in Ghana, who told her that Steven was without internet access in Iraq, Mrs Cook became embroiled in a lengthy process to get her money back. Like a gambler trying to recoup her losses, the amount she was willing to spend to try to solve the problems rose — £100,000 for “legal fees”, £40,000 for “customs costs” and many thousands more.

She extended her overdraft, sold shareholdings and drained her retirement savings. Piece by piece, she dismantled the product of years of abstemious living — all the while concealing the truth from her husband, whose financial affairs were separate.

Mrs Cook sometimes found it hard to believe the intrigue in which she was caught up: a world of five-digit money transfers to Africa, suitcases full of money and a constantly evolving cast of characters, helpers of Steven, all needing her help to overcome one problem after another.

She was then persuaded by the “diplomat” to travel to Ghana — without telling anybody — where she hoped to conclude the protracted attempts to get her money back.

“I was really worried — I’d never been to Africa before,” Mrs Cook recalled. “But the diplomat told me it would speed things up, and I’d get my money back.

“I paid £500 for a 'visa’ and then someone just came to collect me from the airport and took me straight through customs — I suppose people at the airport were in on it, too.”

She was driven to a lavish house on the outskirts of the capital, Accra. Guarded by rott­weilers, it was a gold-plated and marble villa, complete with a gym, a swimming pool and a wardrobe bursting with unworn designer clothes.

Police suspect the property belonged to Fadola, who posed as the diplomat during Mrs Cook’s visit. The house may well have been built and furnished with the funds she sent to Ghana.

“I was scared at first,” she said. “When I look back, it’s terrifying thinking about what could have happened when I went there. I could have been kidnapped. It doesn’t bear thinking about.”

She stayed for two nights and it was on her return that Fadola, describing himself as a business associate, came into the picture under his own name, with police alleging that he offered to travel to Britain to pay back Mrs Cook in person. So she supported his visa application.

“And that was another £10,000 for the paperwork,” she said, managing a faint smile. “I sent him a payslip; an electricity bill; a council tax bill; household documents — all those things you’re not supposed to send out.

“I just wanted to get my money back, and then maybe finally meet Steven — who I believed was still in Iraq.”

In fact, Fadola’s attempts to seek a British visa were his undoing. It disclosed his true identity to the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), which was working with the Ghanaian police in connection with the case of a disabled woman who was persuaded to sell her house and send funds to Ghana.

One night in March, the police knocked on Mrs Cook’s door and asked her if she knew a Maurice Asola Fadola.

Sitting in the London offices of SOCA last week, Mrs Cook said she still struggled to come to terms with how the situation escalated.

“You look back and think, 'How could I be so stupid?’ I’d never heard about these romance frauds before,” she said. “I thought that there was this poor man stuck in Ghana because of something Steven had done. And it had been passed over to me to help him. I thought it was all my fault.”

Fadola is in prison in Ghana facing questioning over money laundering and passport fraud.

SOCA officers went to the country last month to help mount a “sting” operation and caught him when he went approached officials to access some money they had sent.

“He showed no emotion,” said one of the SOCA officers. “I just said 'Hello Steven’ as he was led away in handcuffs.”

The case is not an isolated one. “At first we thought it was just people sending £50 here or there,” said Colin Woodcock, the head of SOCA’s fraud department, “but some people are being robbed of hundreds of thousands.”

More and more cases of romance fraud are being discovered. In August last year, Philip Hunt, 58, threw himself under a train after losing £82,000 in a romance fraud. He had met a Nigerian girl on the internet, who convinced him to spend the money with promises of starting a life together.

“These people are out to get people when they are very vulnerable and at a low ebb. They’re in there like vultures,” Mr Hunt’s former partner told the inquest into his death.

It was only recently that Mrs Cook told her husband what had happened, admitting the full extent of her losses in a telephone call. She did not want to discuss his reaction. Police hope to recover some of the £271,000 that she lost.

“I don’t know if I’ll get the money back,” she said. “I had saved all my life, worked hard, gone without, planning for my retirement. But I don’t think that is going to happen now.

“I just feel so stupid.”

End of Harriet Alexander's culled piece from the Telegraph.

Well, there we are, dear reader - and how shameful this shabby story is. But it is only the tip of the iceberg, one suspects.

As a matter of fact, about a couple of years ago, I was told the sad story of a Swiss German lady, who is said to live at Aplaaku near Wieja - and appears to be the 'prisoner' of the work-shy spongers she has apparently adopted as her family in Ghana.

They are milking the poor pensioner, who is said to be frightened that some harm might come to her, were she to rid herself of the sodden leeches. Pity.

Perhaps the question we must ask officialdom is: What are they doing to rid our country of the shameful activities of the many crooks who go online to rip vulnerable people around the world off?

They must take steps to rid our nation of the army of online fraudsters who have turned Ghana into a global superpower in internet fraud.

Kofi Thompson is a Ghanaian Columnist

Ghana Documents - EASY to Fake... !

Nurses and Midwives’ Council of Ghana apprehends fake nurse

Ghana Documents are so EASY to Fake... ! (Well - Ghanaian Officials know the original.... :-)  )

The Nurses and Midwives’ Council of Ghana has apprehended a 34-year-old lady for faking a State Registered Nurse (SRN) Certificate to apply for a nursing job at a private hospital in Tema Community 10.

Cecilia Aku Dovi was apprehended and handed over to the Tema Community 11 Police after authorities of the hospital forwarded a copy of the certificate for verification when she applied to work there three weeks ago.

Mr. Felix Nyante, Deputy Registrar in-charge-of Supervision and Regional Coordination of the Council, told the media on Tuesday that his outfit detected that the certificate number 14903 bearing the suspect’s name with an issuance date of August 23, 2005 was falsified.

Mr. Nyante further said that the original certificate which belonged to a male nurse was scanned, and Cecilia’s picture and name as well as the issuance date were superimposed on it.

He added that the SRN course was faded out in 1999 noting therefore that the issuance date on the said certificate was also a fake.

He indicated that further checks on the background of the fake nurse, revealed that Cecilia worked as a ward assistant at the Holy Family Hospital in Nkawkaw in 1999 after which her appointment was confirmed in February 2000.

In 2006, the suspect vacated the post for no reason and was summarily dismissed by the hospital management in July 2006.

Mr. Nyante explained that “the position of a ward assistant is an auxiliary grade while that of a SRN is a professional grade”.

He indicated that the suspect does not have the requisite training in nursing and therefore was a danger to quality health delivery to patient.

To rid health facilities of such impersonators, he stated that his outfit which is the regulatory body of nursing and midwifery in the country periodically embarks on verification of credentials of hospital staffs.

He pleaded with authorities of health facilities to always verify the authenticity of certificates presented to them for employment to safeguard the health of the public.

Cecilia, who said she resides at Kasoa in the Central Region, told the media that she collected the certificate from a friend and scanned it without his permission.

She added that even though she worked as a ward assistant with a Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination Certificate (SSSCE), she fancied the nursing job, which made her to falsify the certificate.

See also: Ghana Dating Scam - Victim Support Website