Police Grab‘Agradaa’Over Money-Doubling Scam

The police have arrested Patricia Asiedua, alias ‘Nana Agradaa,’ following allegation of money-doubling scam against her by some members of the public.

The suspect is, currently, assisting the police with investigation.

Anyone who is a victim of the alleged money doubling scam should report to the Accra Regional Police Command for further action and to assist in the investigation, the police said in a statement yesterday.

The Anchor learnt that the police beganthe investigation into the alleged money-doubling scam perpetrated by a self-styled evangelist and founder of Heaven Way Church at Weija, in Accra, over the weekend.

Patricia Asiedua, popularly known as ‘Nana Agradaa,’ is accused of swindlinghuge sums of money from her church members,under the pretence of performinga miracle to double the money for them.

Some of the victims, in viral videos trending on social media,lamented that Nana Agradaa,alias Evangelist Pat,claimed on her TV programme that she would double any money they bring to her incoming monthly all-night prayers.

But, after taking their money, she refused todouble the money, nor give back the initial amounts they paid to her.

Instead, she gave a paltry sum of GH₵10 each to those stranded in her church premises, as their transportation fee.

According to the victims, Agradaa told them that since she would double whatever they brought, it was in their best interest to bring substantial amounts.

They claim some gave Nana Agradaa as much as GH₵10,000. But they did not receive their money at the end of her all-night service.

They said they were forced out of the church auditorium, which was then locked up, leaving them stranded on the streets.

However, the police, in a Facebook post last Saturday October 8, sighted by The Anchor, said the aggrieved members launched a series of reports, which have subsequently compelled them to probe the matter.

In its social media post, the police urged members of the public to assist with investigations, while remaining calm.

“The investigation was initiated following reports that have come to the attention of the police on the matter.

“We would like to urge anyone with information that can assist the investigation to report to the Accra Regional Police Command at Accra Central close to the COCOBOD building. While investigation continues, we urge everyone, especially those who might have been affected, to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands,” the police emphasized.

Last Saturday, social media was awash with videos of aggrieved church members of ‘Nana Agradaa,’ accusing their leader of swindling them.

In a spree of comments monitored by JoyNews, the betrayed congregants said they took her for her words and gave out various sums of money with the hopes of receiving multiple folds as she had promised.

Some of the victims of the supposed scam said they have travelled from very long distances to meet Nana Agradaa to collect their money after her promises failed.

Meanwhile, scores of social media users have criticized the affected church members for being too gullible and vulnerable.

According to them, ‘Nana Agradaa,’ as she is popularly called, has gained notoriety for swindling her unsuspecting clientele, and therefore her congregants should have known better in dealing with her.

Others have however laid the blame at the doorstep of the police, for failing to keep the former spiritualist in check, after claiming she had repented and had now become a minister of the gospel.

Source: Anchorghana