A 45-year-old man, Foster Keelson, who claimed to be a businessman, has been remanded into police custody after admitting to defrauding a nurse of GH¢100,000 under the pretext of securing a visa and airline ticket to New Zealand.
The accused, who resides in Weija, allegedly took advantage of Agyemang Duah Aikins, a nurse based in Amasaman, by posing as someone capable of facilitating travel arrangements abroad.
Keelson is currently before the Dansoman Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Halimah El-Alawa Abdul-Baasit. He faces a charge of defrauding by false pretence.
According to court records, Aikins contacted Keelson in early May 2025, expressing his desire to travel abroad in search of better opportunities. Keelson assured him he could secure a visa and ticket to New Zealand, demanding GH¢70,000 for the service.
On May 5, Aikins paid an initial GH¢60,000. The next day, Keelson requested a further GH¢40,000, claiming GH¢30,000 was for a flight ticket and the remaining GH¢10,000 to complete the visa processing.
Keelson later met the nurse in Weija and showed him a digital copy of a supposed New Zealand visa on his mobile phone, which he also sent via WhatsApp. He claimed the airline ticket would be ready soon.
However, Keelson failed to deliver on multiple travel arrangements. He first asked Aikins to meet him at Kotoka International Airport on May 5 to travel with Royal Air Maroc but did not show up. He later made similar failed arrangements involving Turkish Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines.
Suspecting fraud, Aikins had the documents verified and discovered that both the visa and the tickets were fake. Despite repeated efforts to recover his money, Keelson offered excuses and failed to refund the amount.
Frustrated, Aikins lodged a complaint with the police on May 18 after being left stranded at the airport for the third time. Keelson was eventually arrested from a hideout.
Prosecutor Chief Inspector Christopher Wonder told the court that investigations have been extended to the Ghana Immigration Service and Ethiopian Airlines to authenticate the documents involved.
The case has been adjourned to June 2, 2025, with the court directing the prosecution to complete its investigations quickly.
