Samuel Inkoom, a former Ghana Black Stars player, has been granted bail of GH₵100,000 with two sureties by an Accra Circuit Court following allegations of visa fraud.
Presiding Judge Mrs. Susana Eduful stipulated that each surety must earn at least GH₵5,000 monthly, and Inkoom must deposit his passport photograph with the Court’s Registry.
The footballer is accused of defrauding two complainants by collecting sums of $4,000 and $2,000 under the pretext of securing United States visas for them.
Inkoom, however, denies the allegations.
He is expected to reappear before the court on January 22, 2025.
Fraud allegations detailed
Police Chief Inspector Tetteh Boafo, presenting the case, said the first complainant, Madam Elizabeth Atarime Mboh Awuni, an entrepreneur, and the second complainant, Madam Abigail Owusu, a public servant, both residents of Oyarifa, Accra, fell victim to the alleged scheme.
The prosecutor revealed that in December 2023, Awuni encountered Inkoom at Achimota during a football scouting event.
During their conversation, Inkoom claimed to be involved in travel and tours alongside his scouting activities.
He assured her he could secure USA and Canadian visas for interested applicants within six weeks for $4,000.
Convinced, Awuni paid him the fee to secure a visa for her client.
Owusu, having heard similar representations from Inkoom, also paid $2,000 for a United States visa.
Promises unfulfilled and suspicions arise
After receiving the payments, Inkoom allegedly promised to deliver the visas within six to eight weeks.
However, when the deadlines elapsed, he reportedly went into hiding, prompting the complainants to suspect foul play and report the matter to the police.
Police investigations and arrest
Inkoom was subsequently arrested, and during police questioning, he admitted collecting the amounts but claimed he forwarded the money to a partner in the United States to facilitate the visa acquisition process.
He failed, however, to provide evidence to support his claims.
Further investigations revealed that Inkoom had no partner in the USA, and the assertions were deemed fabrications.
Authorities retrieved $2,000 from him and returned it to one of the complainants, Madam Awuni.
Court awaits further proceedings
The case remains under investigation as the court prepares for its next hearing in January 2025.
The allegations against Inkoom have raised concerns about fraudulent activities in visa processing and the exploitation of unsuspecting individuals.
If convicted, the former footballer could face severe legal repercussions, potentially tarnishing his reputation as a celebrated sportsman in Ghana.
