Kwaku Duah charged with GH₵20,600 FIFA World Cup visa fraud

Kwaku Duah granted GH₵60,000 bail in $3,000 World Cup visa fraud case

A businessman, Kwaku Duah, has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court charged with defrauding a colleague of US$3,000 and GH₵20,600. The accused allegedly promised to secure visas for the complainant for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is set to be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Duah pleaded not guilty to the charge of defrauding by false pretences during his initial appearance. According to the prosecution, Duah misrepresented himself as having influential connections within the National Sports Authority (NSA). He allegedly claimed he could facilitate the acquisition of visas and arrange the necessary visa interviews for the complainant. Relying on these assurances, the victim reportedly handed over the foreign and local currencies to Duah. Investigations subsequently revealed that Duah did not have any authority or the capacity to secure the travel documents as promised, and his claims regarding his influence at the NSA were entirely false. The presiding judge granted Duah bail in the sum of GH₵60,000 with two sureties. As part of the bail conditions, the accused was ordered to deposit his passport with the court registry to mitigate any potential flight risk. The court emphasized that the sureties must be persons of good standing while the legal process continues to unfold. The case has been adjourned to February 17, 2027, for further proceedings. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for the public regarding travel scams associated with high-profile international sporting events. Authorities continue to advise citizens to seek visa assistance only through official diplomatic channels and verified agencies to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.