A 35-year-old caterer and hairdresser, Jessica Oforiwaa, has been sentenced to five years in prison for stealing GH₵81,060 from GCB Bank customers using cloned cheques. The court emphasized the need for banks to enhance ICT systems and staff vigilance to prevent such crimes.
Oforiwaa was convicted on multiple charges, including abetment of crime and theft, after conspiring with accomplices—some of whom remain at large. The stolen funds were withdrawn from accounts of victims using altered cheques issued under Oforiwaa’s business, Jesnat Cook Company. Investigations revealed that the cheques had been chemically modified to look authentic.
While sentencing Oforiwaa, the court acknowledged her young age and first-offender status but stressed that her actions were deliberate and premeditated. The prosecution, led by ASP Seth Frimpong, called for deterrent measures, noting the rise of such financial crimes harming institutions and the economy.
The case highlights ongoing threats in Ghana’s financial sector and the importance of vigilance to maintain public trust.
