Driver granted bail in GH¢242,000 vehicle fraud case
The accused, Michael Arthur, 29, is alleged to have collected the money after offering to sell an unregistered Toyota RAV4, but prosecutors say the car was never delivered
A driver accused of taking GH¢242,000 from a businessman over a vehicle deal that never materialised has been granted bail by the Dansoman Circuit Court.
The accused, Michael Arthur, 29, is alleged to have collected the money after offering to sell an unregistered Toyota RAV4, but prosecutors say the car was never delivered and the money was not returned.
He has been charged with defrauding by false pretences and pleaded not guilty when he appeared before the court.
Presiding judge Mrs Nancy Teiko Searyoh admitted him to bail in the sum of GH¢300,000 with three sureties.
The court said all three sureties must live within its jurisdiction, while two of them must be civil servants earning at least GH¢5,000 a month.
Arthur was also ordered to report to the Gbawe Police Station every Tuesday until the court directs otherwise.
The case has been adjourned to 4 May 2026, with the prosecution directed to file its disclosures for case management.
According to Inspector Emelia Mensah, the complainant, Shadrack Asare, is a businessman based in Bogoso, while the accused lives at Awoshie Water Works in Accra.
The prosecution said the two men were friends and that in July 2025, Arthur collected the money from Mr Asare at Gbawe, claiming he would sell him the Toyota RAV4.
Police say that after receiving the money, Arthur later told the complainant that he had imported several vehicles, including the one intended for him, and reportedly sent a photograph of the RAV4 as proof.
But prosecutors say he later changed his account and claimed that although the container had arrived, the vehicle in question was not included. He then allegedly promised to refund the money.
The court heard that the refund was never made and that Arthur subsequently relocated.
According to the prosecution, the complainant later traced him through his own efforts, leading to his arrest on 23 February 2026.
In a cautioned statement to police, Arthur is said to have admitted receiving the money. He reportedly claimed he had passed it to a friend identified only as Clinton, said to be living in Dubai, to purchase the vehicle on the complainant’s behalf.
He further told investigators that he had since lost contact with the man and did not know where he was.
