Sampson Amevi~wanted. The Legon District Police have mounted a search for Sampson Amevi ...
Sampson Amevi~wanted. The Legon District Police have mounted a search for Sampson Amevi for allegedly using Tonaton.com, a free online marketplace to defraud people.
The suspect, believed to be in his mid 40s, is said to be the leader of a gang that defrauds prospective online buyers who visit the Tonaton.com site.
A member of the gang, 40-year-old driver, Bernard Aseidu, was arrested on Friday, February 13, 2015, and is assisting the police in their investigations.
Arrest at bank
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Legon District Police Crime Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mrs Savour Fleischer Ackon, said the gang had taken advantage of the growing online market, especially Tonaton.com to defraud people.
She said Aseidu, who did not know he was being monitored, was arrested when he went to a bank and attempted to withdraw GH¢ 10,000, paid into an account believed to be where victims were asked to deposit their money.
The money, according to the bank, was paid into the account in one of its branches in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Investigations by the police established that the gang posted adverts about fish farming on Tonaton.com where they claimed they had fingerlings for sale.
Complainant
In January, a man reported to the Legon police that he had seen the advert on Tonaton.com and after expressing interest, he was directed by a contact person whose number was displayed on the advert to make payments before delivery by paying into the accounts of the company.
The complainant told the police that he deposited GH¢ 2,000 into the account provided by the fraudsters at Abeka Lapaz.
However, the phone lines advertised went off after the money was withdrawn.
Gang leader escapes
Following the complaint, Mrs Ackon said, the Legon District Police Command went for a court order on the account, which was served on the bank.
“While investigating the first complaint, Aseidu went to the bank, attempting to withdraw GH¢10,000, paid in by cheque from someone in the Brong Ahafo Region.”
She said the bank immediately informed the police, leading to his arrest.
Aseidu told the police the account was his but Amevi used it for business and that he (Aseidu) had gone to the bank to withdraw the GH¢10, 000 on behalf of Amevi.
Though Aseidu later led the police to the residence of Amevi at Lapaz in Accra, the latter, on seeing the police, escaped and refused to answer calls from Aseidu.
Mrs Ackon urged the public to assist in tracing Amevi.
