A suspect impersonating a military officer has been accused of swindling a lawyer out of GH₵192,000 in a land guard deal. Although details of this specific case are scarce, recent incidents suggest a growing trend of individuals falsely claiming military affiliations to commit crimes.
In a similar case, Jeffery Solomon Darko, a 29-year-old man, was apprehended in Bolgatanga for allegedly posing as a military officer and defrauding individuals with false promises of recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). Darko was found in possession of GH₵1,000 in cash and two smartphones, which were seized as evidence.
Ghana’s laws impose strict penalties for individuals who impersonate military personnel or engage in fraudulent recruitment schemes. Under Section 251 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), falsely representing oneself as a public officer, including military personnel, is a criminal offense punishable by up to three years imprisonment. Fraudulent recruitment activities can attract even harsher penalties, with offenders facing up to five years imprisonment.
Citizens are advised to exercise caution when dealing with individuals claiming to represent government agencies or the military. Verifying the authenticity of such individuals through official channels can help prevent falling victim to scams.
Related Cases:
– Fake Gold Board Officials Arrested: Two individuals, Foster Delord and Prince Worvi, were arrested in Tarkwa for impersonating Ghana Gold Board Taskforce officials and extorting money from gold dealers. They were found with incriminating items, including handcuffs, pepper spray, and GH₵500 in cash.
– Military Officer Discharged: A senior military officer, Captain Abel Nartey, was discharged by an Accra Circuit Court due to lack of evidence in a GH₵136,000 recruitment scam case. Another accused, Clement Ayomah, allegedly used Captain Nartey’s name to collect money from people.