The Economic and Organised Crime Office conducted a targeted operation in Koforidua leading to the arrest of five individuals suspected of managing a large scale mobile money fraud syndicate. According to a Citi Newsroom report the suspects allegedly orchestrated a scheme that resulted in the theft of five million Ghana Cedis from various victims across the country.
The Economic and Organised Crime Office stated that the syndicate specifically focused on pensioners by gaining access to their personal data to facilitate unauthorized transfers. A Graphic Online report indicated that the suspects allegedly posed as telecommunications officials or government representatives to deceive their targets into revealing sensitive mobile money credentials.
During the raid in the Eastern Regional capital investigators reportedly seized several mobile phones and numerous pre registered SIM cards used in the operation. The Economic and Organised Crime Office noted that these items are currently being processed as evidence to determine the full extent of the fraudulent activities.
While the initial findings suggest a coordinated nationwide network the Economic and Organised Crime Office has labeled the current figures as part of an ongoing investigation. A GhanaWeb report mentioned that the suspects remain in custody while officials work to identify additional accomplices who may be linked to the fraud ring.
The authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant against unsolicited calls requesting mobile money details or personal identification numbers. The Economic and Organised Crime Office emphasized that formal charges will be filed in court once the preliminary investigations into the five million Cedi loss are finalized.