This case revolves around Raymond Ofomala, a 36-year-old businessman accused of defrauding Marianne Kertain Elisabet Westerholm, a Finnish retiree, of GHC204,115.21. Ofomala allegedly exploited Westerholm’s prior vulnerability to a romance scam, posing as a lawyer and prosecutor capable of recovering her lost funds. Instead, he orchestrated a secondary scam, further exacerbating her financial losses. The charges against him include defrauding by false pretences and obtaining an electronic payment medium falsely, to which he pleaded not guilty. The Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Isaac Addo, granted him bail set at GHC250,000 with two sureties, requiring him to surrender his passport to the court registry. The case is scheduled for further proceedings on May 20, 2025.
The narrative of the alleged crime, as presented by Chief Inspector Jonas Lawer, began with Westerholm’s previous victimization in a romance scam. Between 2019 and 2022, she lost $102,500 to an individual operating under the alias Albert Lambert. Ofomala, capitalizing on this pre-existing vulnerability, contacted Westerholm in March 2024 via email, using the pseudonym Frank Owusu. He fabricated a scenario involving the arrest of Ghanaians and Nigerians involved in online fraud targeting elderly women. He specifically named Eric Yaw Nartey, claiming he was the individual who had defrauded her under the alias Albert Lambert.
Ofomala solidified his deceptive persona by claiming to be the “State prosecutor” assigned to the case. He assured Westerholm that he was working diligently to confiscate Nartey’s assets and secure the reimbursement of her lost funds. This fabrication of authority and the promise of restitution effectively lured Westerholm into Ofomala’s trap. Trusting his claims, she provided him with personal details, unwittingly setting the stage for further financial exploitation.
The prosecution detailed how Ofomala, having gained Westerholm’s trust, began requesting funds under the guise of facilitating the reimbursement process. Between July 30 and August 22, 2024, he amassed GHC204,115.24 through two personal MTN mobile money accounts and an MTN merchant number. This systematic extraction of funds continued until Westerholm, growing suspicious due to the escalating financial demands, ceased communication and reported the incident to the Ghanaian authorities.
The subsequent investigation revealed Ofomala’s confession to the crime and implicated a Nigerian associate named Godwin. Ofomala claimed Godwin introduced him to Westerholm and orchestrated the scheme. Further investigations exposed Godwin as the original perpetrator of the romance scam against Westerholm. Operating under the alias Albert Lambert, posing as a doctor on a special mission in Yemen, he had defrauded her of $102,500. This revelation highlighted a pattern of calculated deception targeting Westerholm’s vulnerability.
The prosecution further presented evidence of a Toyota Vitz with registration number GS 743-22, seized by police, suspected to have been purchased with the proceeds of the crime. This tangible asset serves as a potential indicator of the scale of Ofomala’s illicit gains derived from his fraudulent activities. The ongoing legal proceedings will determine the validity of the charges and the extent of Ofomala’s culpability in this complex web of deception. The case underscores the vulnerability of individuals to online scams and the sophisticated methods employed by perpetrators to exploit trust and manipulate victims for financial gain.
The court proceedings, scheduled to resume on May 20, 2025, will further unravel the details of this intricate case. The prosecution’s case rests on demonstrating Ofomala’s intent to defraud Westerholm, his fabrication of a false identity and official capacity, and the direct link between his actions and Westerholm’s financial loss. The defense will likely challenge the prosecution’s evidence and potentially argue that Ofomala was himself a victim of Godwin’s manipulation. The court’s decision will ultimately determine the veracity of the accusations and the appropriate legal consequences. This case serves as a stark reminder of the increasing prevalence of online fraud and the devastating impact it can have on victims. It highlights the importance of vigilance, skepticism, and thorough verification when dealing with online interactions, particularly those involving financial transactions.
