A 39-year-old businessman, Dominic Tawiah, has been remanded into the custody of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) by an Accra Circuit Court over his alleged involvement in a gold fraud scheme amounting to GH¢1.5 million.
Tawiah is facing a charge of defrauding by false pretenses, a serious offence under Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act. According to preliminary court documents, he is accused of convincing a complainant to invest in a purported gold trading venture, promising substantial returns. However, the gold was allegedly never delivered, and the complainant was unable to recover the funds.
Prosecutors told the court that the suspect operated under the guise of being a gold dealer with established links to mining concessions and export routes. He allegedly used fake documents and persuasive tactics to build credibility before soliciting the funds.
Following the transaction, efforts by the victim to retrieve the promised gold or a refund reportedly failed, leading to a formal complaint and subsequent investigations. Authorities later picked up Tawiah for questioning, after which he was formally charged.
The prosecution requested that the suspect be held in NIB custody to allow for further investigations, citing concerns that he might interfere with witnesses or tamper with evidence if released. The court granted the request, remanding him into custody while the case is being investigated.
The matter has been adjourned to August 1, 2025, for the next hearing.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies are urging members of the public to be cautious when engaging in gold or other high-value transactions, particularly those not conducted through licensed and verified channels.
The case highlights growing concerns about fraudulent activity within Ghana’s gold trading sector a lucrative but often poorly regulated space where opportunists continue to exploit unsuspecting investors.
If found guilty, Tawiah could face a prison sentence, fines, or both.
