The Ghana Police Service arrested seven suspects in connection with a complex scam involving the distribution of false computerised traffic infraction warnings to the general public.
The hoax, which spread over the last week, involved communications claiming to be from the Police Service and instructing victims to click on links to pay alleged fines. Investigations indicated that the operation was intended to scam naïve Ghanaians via many mobile money transactions.
Speaking at the National Police Headquarters in Accra on Thursday, February 26, Chief Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng stated that the arrests were the result of a coordinated operation by the Police Intelligence Directorate and cybercrime teams.
He affirmed that “seven suspects have been taken into custody, all of whom are assisting with ongoing investigations.”
Investigators discovered that suspect Martha Quarshie, an Ada-based merchant, combined the funds obtained from victims after they had passed through several mobile money accounts.
Prosper Otumfour, the network’s main leader, was taken into custody by police at his Winneba home after she was questioned. GH₵4,188 in cash, many SIM cards, cell phones, and laptops that were allegedly used in the plan were found by the authorities.
Michael Edem Amemornu, a beneficiary of the stolen cash, and mobile money dealers Robert and Christian Akplehe were among those arrested later. Additional electronic gadgets, SIM cards, bank cards, and cash worth several thousand cedis were found during searches at their residences and places of employment.
In order to collect payments from victims, Prosper Otumfour registered Telecel Cash SIM cards in the names of colleagues, including a number of the detained suspects, according to police investigations.
The money was subsequently sent to Martha Quarshie, who used it to create a multi-layered structure that was intended to hide the trail.
Prosper Otumfour, Alfred Kofi Totimeh, Christian Akplehe, Robert Akplehe, Michael Edem Amemornu, Mary Quarshie, and Peter Ofori McCarthy are the seven suspects who will face charges in court. There are still investigations underway to find more syndicate members.
The Police Service praised the officers’ professionalism and quick reaction during the multi-location operation that included Winneba, Ada, and Accra.
In a parallel move, the police declared their intention to implement Traffitech-GH, an automated traffic law enforcement software designed to increase road safety and lower fraud in the imposition of traffic fines.
The National Road Safety Authority, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Transportation are all working together to develop the project.
The Ghana Police Service reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding the public from fraud and cybercrime and issued a warning that anyone trying to use its name illegally would be subject to immediate legal action.
Source: newsthemegh.com