Popular Ghanaian hiplife musician Belinda Nana Ekua Amoah, known widely as Mzbel, has become the latest victim of a high-profile overseas employment fraud scheme that promised young Ghanaians job placements in the United Kingdom.
The case is currently before the Accra Circuit Court, presided over by His Honour Jojo Amoah Hagan. Proceedings commenced on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
Mzbel is said to have been defrauded of a staggering GH¢829,637.00 and £30,028.53 by a syndicate allegedly led by Janice Inez Mensah, a UK-based Ghanaian who is currently at large.
Two alleged accomplices — Japheth Tete Mensah, 44, a driver, and Bernard Boakye Boateng, 34, a hotel operator — have been arrested and charged. Both suspects pleaded not guilty to charges of abetment of crime, namely defrauding by false pretences, contrary to Sections 20(1) and 131(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
The court has granted bail of GH¢100,000 to Japheth Tete Mensah and GH¢500,000 to Bernard Boakye Boateng. Each is required to present two sureties, with at least one justified by title deeds.
Charges and Allegations
The court is pursuing three main counts in the case:
Count 1: Japheth Tete Mensah is accused of abetting Janice Inez Mensah to defraud Mzbel of GH¢75,433.33.
Count 2: Bernard Boakye Boateng is accused of abetting Janice to defraud Mzbel of GH¢447,590.00.
Count 3: Janice Inez Mensah, the principal suspect, is charged with defrauding Mzbel by false pretences, obtaining a total of GH¢829,637.00 and £30,028.53.
Prosecution Fact
Presenting the facts, DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye told the court that Janice — a long-time friend of Mzbel — approached the musician with a lucrative offer to help Ghanaian youth secure employment in the UK in sectors such as caregiving, hairdressing, and construction.
Believing in the offer’s legitimacy, Mzbel used her social media platforms — including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram — to promote the opportunity.
In response, she mobilized 26 followers who expressed interest in traveling abroad for work.
Between March and May 2025, Mzbel and the interested individuals transferred substantial sums to Janice and her associates.
Investigations led by Detective Sergeant James Kwesi Turkson revealed that at least GH¢447,590.00 was deposited into the bank account of Bernard Boakye Boateng, while GH¢75,443.00 was paid into the account of Japheth Tete Mensah.
The funds were subsequently withdrawn or disbursed, with no job placements secured for any of the applicants.
During the investigation, Japheth Tete Mensah refunded GH¢10,000.00 to the police as part of the ongoing probe.
The court has adjourned the case to July 14, 2025, to allow for further investigations and legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, police efforts to locate and apprehend Janice Inez Mensah continue, as her whereabouts remain unknown.
