Kidnapped Irishman held to ransom

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A kidnapped Irishman has been rescued from a failed ransom attempt in Ghana.

James Lafferty, 49, from Ennis, Co Clare, was pulled to safety when police raided a hotel in the capital Accra where he was being held captive.

The victim had been held hostage for around five days while kidnappers demanded money for his safety.

However, following an international police operation involving Interpol, gardai and Ghanaian police, officers freed him after receiving a tip off.

One man was arrested. Mr Lafferty travelled to the west African state last week after he became embroiled in an email fraud scam and was taken hostage.

He was attempting to recover money he had paid into the investment trap but was taken hostage in the hotel room.

The kidnappers then contacted his family and business associates back in Ireland demanding more money. He was freed on Wednesday.

Officials from the Honorary Consul in Accra are assisting him.

One man is being questioned by Ghanaian police and it is understood the kidnap gang were unarmed.

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed consular assistance is being provided to Mr Lafferty.

Email scam

"He is currently safe and well in the Honorary Consulate in Accra after being freed by local police," a spokesman said.

"He is due to meet with local police to provide them with additional information regarding his detention."

Gardai and Interpol have been informed.

It is believed he may have become caught up in an email investment trap similar to the Nigerian 419 scam.

Fraudsters target people through unsolicited emails and claim to have hundreds of thousands of pounds, dollars or euro which needs to be stashed in bank accounts outside the country.

Unsuspecting victims hand over their bank details only to find money has been stolen.

A Garda spokesman said detectives in Ireland were notified of Mr Lafferty's disappearance last Friday.

Ghanaian police are waiting to question Mr Lafferty for a second time to get more details of what happened to him.

Consular officials are also arranging for his return to Ireland.