A 27-year-old trader, Helena Oppong, has been remanded into police custody by the Dansoman Circuit Court for allegedly defrauding three individuals of a total amount of GH¢63,500 under the pretext of securing them Canadian working visas.
Presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit, the court declined a bail request and remanded the accused, citing Section 96(5)(4) of the Criminal and Other Offences (Procedure) Act, 1960 (Act 30).
The court has adjourned the matter to July 2, 2025, and ordered the prosecution to file disclosures and witness statements before the next hearing date.
Helena Oppong pleaded not guilty to all three counts of defrauding by false pretences.
According to the prosecution Chief Inspector Portia Nuarko, Helena, who also manages a travel agency, allegedly partnered with a suspect currently in custody, Stephen Botchway, to operate under the name Aero Link Travel and Tour Company Ltd.
In August 2024, Helena reportedly advertised a Canadian visa package via WhatsApp, promising prospective clients that for a fee of GH¢90,000, she could secure them work visas.
The complainants—identified as Joppa Felix, a teacher; Eunice Abayartey, a nurse; and Caroline Frimpomaa Sencherey, a public servant—responded to the offer and were directed to make payments through Cal Bank and Fidelity Bank accounts bearing the names of Helena and Stephen Botchway.
The first complainant deposited GH¢31,500, comprising two separate bank payments and a GH¢1,500 cash payment for purported medical examinations.
The second complainant paid GH¢11,000, and the third paid GH¢21,000 into the designated account.
Helena allegedly promised to deliver the visas within three months. However, five months later, the complainants had received no documentation and were unable to locate her at her Dome office, which remained closed.
After several failed attempts to contact her, a formal complaint was lodged at the Dansoman Police Station on June 3, 2025.
Investigations revealed that Helena had been arrested earlier at the Asante Akim Agogo Police Station for a similar offence.
She was subsequently re-arrested on June 18, 2025, and brought to Dansoman, where she was charged and arraigned.
