A German expatriate has been denied permission to leave Ghana as authorities investigate criminal charges related to an alleged fraudulent property sale that left a buyer claiming a $100,000 debt. The man, identified as Tom Reuther, 39, has been in the news for a while now and is also facing penalties for immigration violations but remains free and not in detention, according to sources close to the case.
Reuther, who has resided in Ghana for several years, attempted to board a flight out of Kotoka International Airport in Accra earlier this week but was stopped by immigration officials. The travel restriction stems from a dispute over a property transaction in August 2025, where Reuther reportedly sold a residential plot in the upscale East Legon neighborhood. The buyer accused him of misrepresenting the property’s title and value, leading to what investigators describe as fraud charges rather than a simple civil debt matter.
In Ghana, while unpaid debts are typically handled through civil courts, cases involving deception or fraud can escalate to criminal proceedings. Police sources indicated that Reuther is under investigation for potential offenses under the country’s Criminal Code, which could include charges of obtaining property by false pretenses. If convicted, penalties could range from fines to imprisonment, though details of the probe remain limited as it is ongoing.
Compounding Reuther’s legal troubles are immigration infractions. Officials from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) confirmed that he has overstayed his residence permit by several months, violating terms under the Immigration Act of 2000. Such violations can result in fines, deportation, or restrictions on movement, including exit bans to ensure compliance with legal processes. A GIS spokesperson emphasized that Reuther is not detained but must remain in the country until the matters are resolved, stating, “This is a standard procedure to prevent flight from justice.”
Reuther’s situation has drawn attention partly due to his previous involvement in a separate incident earlier this year. In February 2025, he was reportedly the victim of a mob attack in a suburb of Accra, where assailants targeted him over his sexual orientation as a gay man.
See here: Mob Attack on Gay Man in Accra Highlights Escalating Anti-LGBTQ Violence in Ghana.
Witnesses described a group of locals confronting Reuther at a social gathering, leading to physical assault before police intervened. Human rights groups have documented similar incidents in Ghana, where LGBTQ+ individuals face widespread discrimination, including mob violence and harassment.
However, authorities have been clear that Reuther’s sexual identity plays no role in the current travel restrictions or legal charges. “The investigations are purely financial and immigration-related,” a police official told reporters on condition of anonymity. “Any suggestion otherwise is unfounded.”
Ghana’s legal landscape for LGBTQ+ rights remains challenging. Same-sex sexual activity between men is criminalized under colonial-era laws, with a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment. In early 2025, lawmakers reintroduced the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, which seeks to impose harsher penalties, including jail terms, for identifying as LGBTQ+ or advocating for related rights. The bill has sparked international concern, with human rights organizations warning of increased violence against the community. Despite this, President John Mahama recently described the bill as “effectively dead,” though debates continue.
Reuther’s lawyer, speaking from Accra, declined to comment on the specifics but stated that his client is cooperating with authorities and hopes for a swift resolution. The German Embassy in Ghana has been notified and is providing consular assistance, though it has not issued a public statement.
This case highlights the complexities faced by expatriates in navigating Ghana’s legal system, particularly in business dealings and residency compliance. As the investigation proceeds, Reuther remains in Accra, awaiting further developments.
