A 70-year-old married Ghanaian man identified as Agya Mensah has broken down on television after alleging that he was duped out of more than GH¢4,000 by a woman he wanted to date as a “side chick.”
The emotional incident reportedly occurred during an appearance on Oyerepa Afutuo, a relationship and dispute-resolution programme on Oyerepa TV.
According to reports, Mensah said the woman initially approached him with a story that her parents were dead and that she needed financial assistance. He subsequently sent her money and the two reportedly agreed to meet.
How the Alleged Scheme Started
Mensah reportedly said the woman eventually sent him a nude photograph after they had established communication, despite warnings from his children.
He then sent her money for transportation so she could visit him.
However, according to his account, the woman later claimed she had been involved in an accident and required additional money to settle hospital expenses.
The situation allegedly escalated when people described as the woman’s grandmother and uncle also began contacting him and requesting more money.
From Romance to Repeated Requests
What initially appeared to Mensah to be the beginning of a romantic relationship allegedly became a series of financial requests.
He reportedly continued sending money because he believed the woman genuinely needed assistance.
The accumulated amount eventually exceeded GH¢4,000, according to the account.
He Goes on TV to Demand His Money
After realising that the situation may have been a scam, Mensah reportedly appeared on Oyerepa Afutuo to publicly demand the return of his money.
The emotional appearance has since generated significant attention online, with viewers debating the risks involved when financial transactions become intertwined with romantic expectations.
Oyerepa’s platform regularly features relationship disputes and personal conflicts involving members of the public.
A Wider Warning About Romance Scams
Mensah’s experience comes amid growing concerns about romance-related financial scams in Ghana.
In a separate case, authorities prosecuted an alleged romance-fraud scheme involving women who were reportedly approached through social media with promises of relationships and marriage before being induced to part with money.
Another report documented an alleged romance scam operation involving Ghanaian nationals accused in the United States of targeting elderly victims through dating websites and social media.
What Mensah’s Story Shows
The incident has become a cautionary tale about emotional vulnerability, money and relationships.
For people entering new relationships, particularly relationships that begin online or through limited personal contact, requests for money based on emergencies, medical bills, transportation or family problems should be treated carefully.
Financial assistance given voluntarily does not automatically prove fraud, and Mensah’s allegations against the woman would ultimately require evidence to establish wrongdoing.
But his decision to go on television to demand his money has turned the personal dispute into one of the latest relationship stories attracting attention among Ghanaian viewers.
For Mensah, what began as an attempt to pursue a new relationship ended with an alleged financial loss, public embarrassment and a television appeal for his money to be returned.
Related GhanaMedia coverage:
- Lawyer Charged with Defrauding US-Based Nurse in Accra
- Wife of Canadian Rapper Nav Shocked as Divorce Reveals Zero Personal Assets
- Agradaa Remains Defiant Amid Fraud and Financial Misconduct Allegations
External sources:
- GhanaWeb report on the Oyerepa Afutuo appearance
- Ghana News Agency report on an alleged romance-scam case
- MyJoyOnline report on an alleged romance scam investigation
Editorial note: GhanaMedia.net treats the account concerning the woman as an allegation reported from the man’s television appearance. The report does not independently establish criminal liability on the part of the woman or any other person mentioned.
