A 27-year-old teacher, Bless Agbenyenu, pretended to be an MP and defrauded a resident of Kadjebi in the Oti Region. He has been fined 100 penalty units (GH¢1,200) and signed a bond of good behavior.
Agbenyenu was charged with defrauding by false pretense by a Kadjebi Magistrate court. The complainant, Mr. Ahiase, was defrauded by the convict’s fraudulent scheme, using a Facebook advertisement posing as a recruiter for the security services.
The convict defrauded the complainant of GH¢250, knowing at the time that his action was fraudulent after pretending to be the Akan MP.
Agbenyenu explained that his action was “just an attempt and first-time attempt,” asking the Court to “temper justice with mercy.”
The Magistrate said the convict’s explanation did not exonerate him from being guilty in line with the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
However, the Court was lenient because he was a first-time offender, showed remorse, and was a father to a four-year-old child.
The Magistrate cautioned the public against online transactions to avoid being defrauded or scammed. This case serves as a reminder to be cautious about online interactions and not fall victim to fraudulent schemes.
