Security agencies recently detained 25-year-old contract worker Emmamunel Sakyi Afriyie of one of Ghana’s largest banks for allegedly stealing about GHc1.2 million from customers’ bank accounts.
He stole money from several accounts, including those of a late judge and a former inspector general of police.
Some of the stolen money is alleged to have been transferred to Afriyie’s personal account in a different bank, as well as to the accounts of his 17 accomplices in various banks and their mobile money accounts.
He is also accused of going on a spending binge with his loot, using some of the money to buy a Toyota Camry and an iPhone 14Pro Max.
According to a police investigation, the suspect had bought a plane ticket in order to flee with his girlfriend to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
However, he was out of luck because security personnel moved quickly, leaving a trail that resulted in his capture on June 4, 2023, at Kotoka International Airport.
“On June 4, 2023, A1 together with his girlfriend Ivy Okertchiri, who stood as surety for him attempted to escape from the jurisdiction to Dubai, but he was arrested at the Kotoka International Airport by the Ghana Immigration Service and handed over to the police,” facts of the case as quoted by a report by the Chronicle Newspaper said.
The password for his boss’ mobile phone was allegedly obtained by Afriyie by secretly filming her as she entered it.
He then carried out the fraudulent transactions from customers’ accounts over a two-month period after using the recorded clip to figure out her password.
Later, some of his accomplices were captured, presented to a judge, and remanded in custody before being released on bail.
Along with some of his assistants, Afriyie is facing a number of charges, including conspiracy and theft. He is also accused of forging documents and falsifying accounts, making a total of 13 accusations against him. He has entered a not guilty plea to every charge.
