The Assin Fosu District Court, presided over by His Worship Abdul Majid Iliasu, has convicted three residents of Assin Breku and ordered them to refund a total of GH¢38,450 they allegedly obtained from a trader through a fraudulent electronic money transaction.

The convicts are 24‑year‑old footballer Francis Appiah; 24‑year‑old footballer Emmanuel Oteng, alias Flow Delli; and 21‑year‑old okada rider Emmanuel Antwi, all residents of Assin Breku.

The complainant, 26‑year‑old trader Shalean Stella Bamfo, a resident of Tarkwa, reported the matter to the police after allegedly being deceived into transferring money to various mobile‑money accounts.

Prosecutor Inspector Matilda Osaah Buabeng told the court that on July 21, 2026 at about 12:30 pm the complainant received a phone call from Francis Appiah, who claimed that he had mistakenly sent money to her.

Inspector Buabeng said that during the lengthy conversation, Francis Appiah instructed the complainant to visit a nearby mobile‑money merchant, where she was allegedly deceived into transferring GH¢38,450 via e‑cash to three MTN numbers registered in the names of Saar Hassana, Rebecca Bosiako Antwi and Sarah Gyeti Authur.

The prosecutor further told the court that A1, Francis Appiah, subsequently transferred GH¢6,290 via e‑cash to Emmanuel Antwi as his share of the proceeds.

According to the prosecution, the complainant later realised that she had been defrauded and reported the matter to the Central North Regional Police Cybercrime Unit for investigation.

Inspector Buabeng said that following a court order in suit number CM No. 042/2026, assistance from telecommunications companies and intelligence gathered by the police, the three accused were arrested at their hideout in Assin Breku.

During investigations, one of the accused admitted the offence in a caution statement.

After hearing the case, the court convicted the three accused and ordered them to refund the stolen money.

The convicts subsequently refunded the full amount of GH¢38,450.

Reading his ruling, His Worship Abdul Majid Iliasu noted that the three convicts were first‑time offenders and consequently cautioned them. The judge warned they would be sent to prison if they were arrested again for engaging in any criminal activity. He further urged the convicts to desist from fraudulent activities and to pursue meaningful and legitimate work to improve their lives.

His Worship Abdul Majid Iliasu also commended the Central North Regional Police Cybercrime Unit for its “yeoman's work, commitment and dedication to combating cyber-related crimes in the region.”