Fake Cheque

Ghanaian in US arrested for $50,000 cheque scam and weapons smuggling
Stephen Yawson, during his arrest

Stephen Yawson, during his arrest

A Ghanaian resident of Charleroi, Pennsylvania, Washington County in the US has been arrested for cheque scams and automatic weapons smuggling.

The man was arrested Thursday February 26, 2009 following a seven-hour police standoff outside his home on accusations he orchestrated a widespread counterfeit cheque-cashing ring. He is also accused of running guns from Florida, according to the Observer Reporter.

According to the reports, 31-year-old Steven Mensah Yawson was charged with 49 counts of forgery in a scam in which authorities say people cashed phony pay cheques from three companies, netting more than $50,000. Most of the alleged crimes occurred in December 2008.

He was the sixth person to be arrested in the sting, whose alleged members included his girlfriend, Stacy Nicholas, 22.

Authorities said Yawson, is listed on alumni records at California University of Pennsylvania as having earned a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree in business administration from the school.

Police said he also indicated his employment with Global Real East Inc., a company that doesn’t exist.

He is reported to have obtained ink and cheque paper with watermarks to produce phony cheques from some companies. The companies affected are Thermo-Rock East, Columbia Gas and Customer Contact Inc. He allegedly gave others the cheques to cash.

Earlier in February, Charleroi police arrested John Greer of Monessen after his alleged co-conspirator told police she took part in a counterfeiting scam with Greer involving cheques from Thermo-Rock East. Greer was charged with multiple counts of criminal conspiracy, theft and forgery, the reports say.

A criminal complaint stating the charges against Yawson says police also believe he was involved in shipping crates of automatic weapons from Florida for distribution in Pittsburgh or New York City.

A neighbour, Shirley Gray of 209 Prospect Ave., said police came to her home about 9 a.m. and told her she would have to leave before authorities tried to arrest Yawson.

Gray said Yawson communicated with police from a window and made a hand motion indicating he wasn’t coming out. Four hours into the standoff, Charleroi police received assistance from a state police Critical Emergency Response Team. Members of the U.S. Secret Service also were at the home before Yawson surrendered peacefully.

Yawson faces additional charges of receiving stolen property, theft and criminal conspiracy. He was arraigned before District Judge Larry Hopkins, who placed him in Washington County Jail on $250,000 bond, the reports said.

Charleroi police later seized computer equipment and business records but found no drugs or weapons inside the home.

Another accomplice, Daniel W. Poole, 21, of McClellandtown, was arrested two weeks ago for his alleged role in the scam. A woman identified as Julia Star in court records was arrested after admitting to being paid for cashing some of the checks, but she has yet to be arraigned.

Meanwhile, police have a warrant to arrest Nicole Johnston, 21, of Lowber, as an accomplice, the reports say.

The U.S. Secret Service is cooperating in the investigation and more arrests are expected to be made, police said.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi



Updated August 31/09