Omanghana
The Ghana Police Service has arrested a 36-year-old man, Christian Gyamfi, for his alleged involvement in a fake gold transaction that cost a gold aggregator GH₵1.1 million in the Bono Region.
Gyamfi was arrested at his hideout in Wamfie in the Dormaa East District following an intelligence-led police operation.
The Bono Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, said the investigation began after a 29-year-old gold aggregator reported that he had been defrauded by four individuals.
According to the complainant, the suspects presented themselves as legitimate gold dealers and offered to sell him 110 troy ounces of what they claimed was genuine gold.
The transaction was completed in Drobo in the Jaman South Municipality, with the aggregator reportedly paying GH₵1.1 million for the consignment.
However, laboratory assays and subsequent examinations established that the materials supplied were not genuine gold.
The complainant then reported the matter to the police, leading to an investigation into the identities and movements of the alleged sellers.
Police intelligence eventually led officers to Wamfie, where Gyamfi was located and arrested. The counterfeit material has been retained by investigators as evidence.
During interrogation, Gyamfi allegedly admitted participating in the transaction and provided information about three other people believed to be members of the syndicate.
Police identified the alleged leader of the group only as Abraham, also known as “French Man.” The two other suspects were named as Isaac Antwi and Balthazar.
All three remain at large, and police have launched a manhunt to locate and arrest them.
Investigators are also examining the group’s possible involvement in other fraudulent gold transactions in the region.
Preliminary inquiries indicate that the same syndicate may have defrauded another person of GH₵1.4 million in a separate fake gold deal in Drobo earlier this year.
If confirmed, the two transactions would bring the amount allegedly obtained by the group to at least GH₵2.5 million.
Police are expected to establish whether there are additional victims who have not yet filed formal complaints.
The arrest comes amid continuing concerns about fraudsters exploiting Ghana’s gold trade by presenting counterfeit metals, gold-plated materials or substances mixed with small quantities of genuine gold.
Some syndicates reportedly use fake assay reports, false licenses and staged testing procedures to convince buyers that the materials being offered are authentic.
The police have consequently advised gold aggregators, traders and prospective buyers to conduct extensive due diligence before making payments.
Buyers have been encouraged to verify the identities and licenses of sellers through recognized regulatory institutions and ensure that testing is conducted by independent, certified professionals.
Authorities also warned against relying on assay results supplied exclusively by sellers or transferring large sums of money before the authenticity and legal source of the gold have been established.
Gyamfi remains in police custody as investigations continue. He is expected to be processed in accordance with the law, while efforts are intensified to apprehend his alleged accomplices.
Anyone with information about Abraham, Isaac Antwi or Balthazar has been encouraged to contact the nearest police station.
Source: Omanghana
