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By Celestina Cheba
The bustling Kwame Nkrumah Overpass, commonly known as Circle, is a major transit hub for travelers navigating through the capital city or the entire country at large. It also serves as a thronging centre for diverse engagements ranging from prostitution, trading, advertising, and peaching. Circle is therefore primarily a transport centre that doubles as a market.
This busy intersection was once just a tiny roundabout that connected the four corners of Accra, but now it’s become a sprawling hub named after Ghana’s first president and a founding father of pan-Africanism.
Nkrumah Circle is one of six traffic interchanges throughout Accra named after the founding fathers of Ghana, or The Big Six, as they are commonly known. But a huge statue of Dr. Nkrumah in an elaborate water-fountain park links Ghana’s visionary leader to the perpetually busy and hectic transport centre in the middle of the capital.
About 7,000 vehicles pass through this place every hour for various activities. A total of about 84,000 vehicles every day will roll through, and during rush hours, sometimes spend hours before leaving the area. Thousands of commuters and beggars also ply through.
Bordering is Tip Toe Lane, a narrow, crowded street where cell phones, laptops, and their over-eager repairmen are based.
This lively marketplace may be beautiful to behold, but it also harbors a hidden menace – a rising trend of scams that has left unsuspecting customers in distress.
A Haven for Goods and Deception
The three-tier interchange which was constructed in 2016 to replace the old Kwame Nkrumah Circle has become the infrastructure that supports a central market and shopping district, making it an integral part of Ghana’s capital, offering an extensive array of products. Dominated by women traders, the market boasts a variety of goods, including manufactured and imported foods, snails, clothing, electronic tools, medicines, and locally crafted jewelry. Approximately 25% of the market’s 70% female traders are engaged in selling all types of school materials, providing a one-stop-shop for educational essentials.
However, beneath the colorful façade lies a shadowy side, as unsuspecting shoppers fall victim to scams orchestrated by cunning individuals within the market. Recent accounts from victims highlight the need for increased vigilance when navigating the crowded market.
Personal Accounts of Scams
Edumud Hukpoti remembers his harrowing experience one Friday afternoon when he visited the Circle Market in search of a new phone.
“I had a Tecno mobile and [a man] showed me one of the latest Samsung phones asking me to add 700 GhC in exchange [for] my phone. Checking the phone, I saw that it was in perfect condition, and what went crossing my mind at that moment was that the guy was so ignorant for selling such a prize phone at the price. Without thinking it twice I decide to go for it.”
Falling prey to a scam artist, Hukpoti exchanged his Tecno mobile for what appeared to be a high-end Samsung phone. The scammer surreptitiously substituted the phone with floor tiles, leaving Hukpoti in shock and financial distress.
“After making the exchange, the man asked me to give him back the phone because he wanted to add a phone case to it, those with the front and back. After doing so, he closed it and gave back the phone – or at least that’s what I thought…Turning back, I told my friend to run …because I thought I had the man fooled.”
When Edmunud and his friend felt they were at a safe distance from the trader, he decided to inspect his prized find.
“I opened the case only to realize that instead of a phone, what I was really holding was a set of floor tiles in my hands. At that moment, I didn’t know what to do. I was so angry – not at the man, but to myself because I was so careless and so impatient.”
Edmund says the money he spent was his monthly feeding fee since he was in a boarding school.
Similar incidents have been reported by others, including a first-year university student who also purchased a phone only to discover it replaced with a stone upon reaching home.
“I saw the phone, [inspected it]…was nice… everything was okay, and the [trader] told me that he want to put the phone inside a box…I turned to give him the money. I think, that moment, the man change the phone with a stone, and I didn’t know until I got home and realized that [he] played tricks on me. I was very angry and very sad at the same time,” said the student who wishes to remain anonymous.
Felisa Obiang, a Level 300 marketing student at University of Ghana, Legon, also detailed her disappointment after buying a seemingly functional laptop that failed to turn on the next day.
“I went to circle to buy a laptop. It was a HP laptop. Everything was working; the screen was clear. I was so happy because I bought a new laptop for me. I went home and I tried to [put] on the laptop, and the laptop didn’t turn on anymore. I was at the place around 5pm. I left at 6:30 pm, and when I realized that the laptop is not working, … I went to the place the next day in the morning. The guy was not there anymore. I called him and his number didn’t go through, and I went back in the afternoon, but the man still [was not there]. That was painful a lot because I used part of my fee money to buy that laptop.”
What the Police say
Impostor scams topped the list with the highest number of reported cases among 2.4 million scam reports submitted last year. Following closely were online shopping scams, scams related to prizes, sweepstakes, and lotteries, as well as investment scams and business.
Circle Police say 12 numbers of scams are reported every two weeks. The crimes fall in the categories of financial crimes, armed robbery and fraud.
Michael Asiedu, a security analyst and CEO of Asmike Agency, explained that when addressing a spate of crimes, the police typically aim to analyze and understand the patterns, motives, and potential root causes behind the increase in criminal activity. After conducting investigations, gathering evidence, and collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, they have apprehended perpetrators, tried to prevent further crimes and ensure the safety of the community.
According to Mr. Asiedu, several factors potentially encourage criminal behavior at Circle including unemployment, substance abuse and addiction, breakdown of community structures, and limited police presence.
“These can hamper crime prevention efforts and embolden criminals.”
Traders at Circle generally have negative views about scams, as they can lead to financial losses and detrimental effects on their businesses. Scams are viewed as deceitful acts aimed at tricking people into giving away their money or personal information.
Madam Safia, a textiles trader at Circle, says there are several reasons why scams are prevalent in marketplaces.
“Marketplaces attract numerous traders and customers, providing scammers with a large pool of potential victims to target. And we do not have strict verification processes or quality checks which may attract dishonest individuals who are looking to take advantage of others.”
According to Michael Asiedu, to combat scams, traders in marketplaces themselves must strive to implement improved security measures.
Safety Tips
Despite the prevalence of scams, victims like Felisa Obiang emphasize the importance of reporting incidents to the police to ensure appropriate action is taken. Advising caution and awareness, she urges individuals to make purchases from reputable sources to minimize the risk of falling victim to scams.
As scams continue to plague Nkrumah Circle, the call for cautious consumerism grows louder. Accra residents are urged to stay vigilant, report suspicious activity, and choose reputable sellers to contribute to a safer and more reliable shopping experience in this iconic marketplace.
“Reporting incidents to the police is crucial, as it helps authorities take appropriate action,” suggests Felisa.
Following are a few tips to follow if you want to shop at Circle.
- It’s advisable to make purchase from reputable sources to minimize the risk of falling victim to scams. Staying informed and verifying the legitimacy of traders can help protect against such deceptive practices.
- It’s valuable advice to be mindful of your surroundings and take precautions in areas known for scams or theft.
- Choosing reputable establishments for purchase can indeed contribute to a more secure and reliable experience.
- Staying vigilant and making informed choices can help avoid potential pitfalls in such locations.
If you ever encounter suspicious activity, reporting it can also contribute to preventing others from falling victim to scams. Vulnerability stems from a lack of awareness as scammers utilize sophisticated tactics, leaving many individuals unaware of evolving scams. Call the Ghana Police Helpline: 18555 or 191.
