A 34 year old man is in custody following his arrest in Koforidua for allegedly running a fraudulent recruitment scheme. A Citi Newsroom report indicates that the suspect targeted approximately 40 young individuals by promising them entry into the Ghana Armed Forces. The Eastern Regional Police Command is reportedly investigating the matter according to local media accounts.
The suspect allegedly collected a total sum exceeding 200,000 Ghana Cedis from his victims. According to a GhanaWeb report each victim paid varying amounts under the belief that the funds would secure their enlistment. Police officials have noted that the suspect lacked any authority or affiliation with the military recruitment office.
Statements from the Ghana Police Service confirm that the arrest followed several complaints from victims who realized they had been deceived when the recruitment deadlines passed. Sources from the Daily Graphic report that the suspect was apprehended at a hideout in the Eastern Region after a coordinated intelligence operation.
Authorities are currently processing the suspect for court where he will face charges related to defrauding by false pretenses. The Ghana Armed Forces has repeatedly issued warnings to the public through official press releases stating that it does not use middlemen for recruitment and that all payments should follow official protocols. Investigators are working to determine if the suspect acted alone or with accomplices.