Assin Fosu Kidnapping Case Takes New Twist as Witness Alleges Fraud Syndicate Framed Victim

New details have emerged challenging the circumstances surrounding an alleged kidnapping case involving a woman in Assin Fosu, with a family member claiming that the incident arose from an attempt to recover money allegedly stolen through a cyber and mobile-money fraud scheme.

Afia Adutwumwaa, sister of Mavis Badu, who is reportedly in police custody following the incident, has given an account that differs significantly from the kidnapping narrative. According to her, Badu was initially a victim of fraud but was subsequently portrayed as the perpetrator after attempting to recover funds allegedly taken from her accounts.

Alleged Fraud

Madam Adutwumwaa claims that her sister was targeted by a sophisticated syndicate allegedly involved in mobile-money and cyber fraud.

According to her account, the fraudsters allegedly deceived Badu into disclosing her personal identification number (PIN), enabling them to access and withdraw money from her mobile-money and bank accounts.

She claims the total amount allegedly taken from Badu was GH¢44,800.

Alleged Sting Operation

After discovering the alleged fraud, Badu reportedly sought the assistance of a friend to identify and locate those responsible.

Madam Adutwumwaa alleges that the pair used a phone number linked to the fraudulent transactions to contact one of the suspects. They allegedly posed as a potential romantic interest and persuaded the suspect to travel to Kumasi.

The suspect, identified as Bismark Amoh, allegedly arrived in Kumasi and discovered that the woman he had been communicating with was the same person who claimed to have been defrauded.

According to the witness, Amoh was confronted with electronic evidence allegedly linking him to the transactions. She claims that he admitted his involvement and subsequently transferred GH¢5,000 to Badu via mobile money.

Madam Adutwumwaa further alleges that Amoh contacted other members of the group, resulting in an additional GH¢14,500 being refunded to Badu’s account.

She claims that while the family waited for the remaining balance to be repaid, Amoh was kept at a private residence in Kumasi.

Police Intervention

The situation reportedly took a dramatic turn when police officers, acting on information they had received, raided the residence and rescued Amoh.

Badu was subsequently arrested on an allegation of kidnapping or unlawful confinement.

Madam Adutwumwaa disputes that characterization of the events. She alleges that an individual known by the alias “Chino,” whom she claims is connected to the alleged fraud syndicate, helped shift the narrative and portray Badu as the offender.

According to the witness, the circumstances should instead be investigated in the context of the alleged financial fraud and the efforts to recover the stolen money.

Family Calls for Investigation

Madam Adutwumwaa is appealing to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to intervene and ensure what she describes as a thorough and impartial investigation.

She says the family has digital and financial records that could help establish what happened, including:

• Mobile-money transaction records and bank statements allegedly showing the initial withdrawals and subsequent refunds.
• Phone records and WhatsApp conversations allegedly recorded while Amoh was at the Kumasi residence.
• Communications that the family says contain admissions relating to the alleged fraud.
• Registered telephone numbers allegedly linked to members of the fraud syndicate.

The family maintains that a comprehensive examination of the digital and financial evidence will establish whether Badu was primarily a victim of fraud and whether the subsequent events resulted in her being wrongly accused.

The allegations have not been independently established in this account, and the accused persons are entitled to due process. The case is expected to depend heavily on the financial records, digital communications and other evidence available to investigators.