Police Arrest Two Over Fake Online Vehicle Sale Scam; Third Suspect Remains at Large

The Central East Regional Police Command has arrested two people suspected of operating a coordinated online vehicle-sale syndicate that defrauded a buyer of more than GH₱00,000 through a fraudulent social media advertisement. A third suspect remains at large.

Chidubem Oba Precious, 31, was apprehended on June 12 at Adawukwa, a suburb of Bawjiase in the Central Region, following a targeted police operation. A search of his residence uncovered an ATM card and mobile SIM card registered to his alleged accomplice, Ama Mankye, 28, along with a receipt bearing the complainant’s payment details.

How the Scam Unfolded

The scheme began with a TikTok advertisement promoting a Jetour hybrid vehicle at US$8,800, supposedly available through a company called Shipper China Qinghai Hongmeng Auto Mobile Sale. The victim responded to the listing and made two separate payments in December 2025 — GH₱46,895 on December 9 and GH₱53,428 on December 18 — totalling GH₱00,323.

After the money was transferred into bank accounts controlled by the suspects, the victim received a fake bill of lading, giving the false impression that the vehicle had been shipped. The vehicle never arrived.

An Accomplice’s Role

Police investigators traced the financial trail through forensic analysis and identified the physical locations linked to the transactions. Ama Mankye was subsequently arrested in Accra’s Agbogba neighbourhood after she cooperated with authorities. According to police, Mankye opened a bank account in her name to receive the fraudulent funds in exchange for a GH₱1,000 commission.

Both suspects appeared before the Ofaakor Circuit Court on June 15. Chidubem Oba Precious was remanded into police custody, while Mankye was granted bail of GH₱70,000 with one surety required to justify the bond with landed property. The case has been adjourned to June 29.

Third Suspect Sought

The police are actively pursuing a third suspect, identified as Theresa Ziam, who remains at large. The Central East Regional Police Command has urged any other victims of the syndicate’s online vehicle-sale scheme to come forward and report to the Regional Command or the nearest police station.

The arrest underscores the growing threat of sophisticated online fraud in Ghana’s digital marketplace, where criminals increasingly exploit social media platforms to target buyers seeking affordable imported vehicles. The case serves as a reminder that attractive deals on social media can carry significant financial risk, and buyers should exercise caution before transferring funds to unknown sellers.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE