The Bono Regional Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against fraudulent gold transactions with the arrest of a 36-year-old suspect, Gyamfi Christian, in connection with a syndicate allegedly responsible for defrauding a gold aggregator of over one million Ghana Cedis .
The arrest, which took place on August 17, 2026, followed an intelligence-led operation that traced the suspect to his hideout in Wamfie, located in the Dormaa East District . The development brings a measure of relief to the victim, Christopher Awuni, a 29-year-old gold aggregator, who reported the incident to the police after allegedly being duped in a transaction involving 110 troy ounces of gold .
The Incident and Investigation
According to a statement from the Bono Regional Police Command, Mr. Awuni reported that he was approached by four men posing as legitimate gold sellers in July 2026 . The group allegedly sold him the gold for a staggering GH¢1.1 million. However, subsequent testing revealed that the gold purchased was counterfeit, and the items were subsequently retained by the police as exhibits for the ongoing investigation .
Upon his arrest, the suspect, Gyamfi Christian, allegedly admitted to his involvement in the fraudulent transaction during interrogation . He disclosed to investigators that the deal had been finalized at Drobo in the Jaman South Municipality .
Identity of the Syndicate
Further investigations have revealed the involvement of three other individuals, who are currently at large. The suspect identified his accomplices as Abraham, alias “Frenchman,” who is believed to be the leader of the syndicate, Isaac Antwi, and a man known only as Balthazar .
Preliminary findings by the police have also linked the group to an earlier scam. It is believed that the same syndicate defrauded a separate victim of GH¢1.4 million in a similar transaction at Drobo earlier this year . This suggests the group may have been running a sustained operation targeting gold buyers in the region.
Police Caution and Next Steps
The Bono Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, has confirmed that the suspect is currently in police custody and cooperating with investigators . Efforts are underway to track down and arrest the remaining three suspects who remain at large.
In the wake of these arrests, the Police Command has issued a strong caution to the public, particularly those involved in the gold trade. They are urging individuals to exercise extreme vigilance and conduct thorough verification of all transactions to avoid falling victim to such schemes . The police are also appealing to anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the fleeing suspects to come forward and assist in the investigation .
