Social Media Influencer 'Powder Guy' Granted GH¢400,000 Bail Over Alleged $32,000 Visa Fraud

Ibrahim Kailani Kpa, a popular social media influencer known as 'Powder Guy,' has been granted bail in the sum of GH¢400,000 by an Accra Circuit Court after pleading not guilty to charges of visa fraud. Kpa, who also works as a tiler in Oyarifa-Teiman, is accused of defrauding seven individuals of a total of $32,000 by falsely promising to secure travel visas to Nicaragua, Canada, and the United States. The court's decision to grant bail came despite strong opposition from the prosecution, which argued that the accused might interfere with ongoing investigations into his alleged accomplices.

The prosecution's case alleges that Kpa utilized his significant presence on TikTok and Facebook to advertise visa-related services, attracting unsuspecting individuals looking to relocate abroad. Between 2023 and 2026, the complainants reportedly paid sums ranging from $2,000 to $9,000 each to the influencer. Kpa allegedly assured the victims that their visas would be ready within one month of payment. However, once the funds were collected, the visas were never delivered, and Kpa reportedly became unreachable, eventually leading the victims to report the matter to the police.

Following his arrest in Accra, Kpa reportedly admitted to receiving the funds from the complainants but denied the criminal intent to defraud. He claimed that he had handed the entirety of the money over to certain accomplices who were responsible for the actual visa processing. According to Kpa, these individuals failed to produce the documents and subsequently disappeared. The prosecution is currently working to verify these claims and locate the named accomplices, who remain at large.

This case highlights the increasing prevalence of visa-related scams facilitated through social media platforms, where influencers leverage their popularity to gain the trust of followers. The court has imposed specific conditions on Kpa’s bail and has adjourned proceedings to a future date to allow for the completion of investigations. Authorities continue to caution the public against engaging in visa transactions through unofficial channels or via social media advertisements.