Court remands 11 over online recruitment fraud
An Accra Circuit Court has remanded 11 persons accused of defrauding people on social media under the pretext of securing them jobs in various government institutions.
They are said to have posed as high-profile government officials on various social media platforms to allegedly defraud unsuspecting victims.
The accused persons are Noble Kudzo Konku; Godwin Zakor; Prince Ayisi; Jonathan Ekwoodzen; Richmond Agbenyega and Michael Adorborse.
The rest are Osborn Awake Tetteh, Deborah Dwarkie, Rita Brodrich and Jennifer Sobey.
Henrus Nyaleke has been accused of masterminding the alleged recruitment scam.
They have been charged with two counts of conspiracy and defrauding by false pretence.
They were arrested by personnel from the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) in a joint operation with the Ghana Police Service.
The case has been adjourned to June 20 this year.
Prosecution’s facts
Per the facts of the case on May 29 this year, following intelligence gathered on suspected fraudulent activities of some group of persons within Sogakope and its environs, personnel from the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), in a joint operation with the Ghana Police Service, proceeded to a house at Sogakope and met a group of young men and women suspected to be involved in cyber related crimes.
Ten of the accused persons were arrested but the rest escaped.
On Sunday, June 1, 2025, the CSA, in collaboration with the Cybercrime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department ( CID) Headquarters, intensified surveillance in the area and arrested Nyaleke from his hideout at Sege.
According to the prosecution, Nyabek, who is believed to be the leader of the group, admitted in his caution statement to be involved in recruitment scams by using pictures and names of some high level personalities and government officials as his profile picture to communicate with unsuspecting victims and subsequently part with their money.
“The other 10 suspects denied involvement in any cyber-related crimes and stated in their caution statement that they only attended a birthday party of a friend and got arrested,” the prosecution said.
It added that mobile phones and laptops suspected of being used for the cyber-related crimes were retrieved.
“Suspects denied involvement in any cyber-related crimes and stated in their caution statement that they only attended a birthday party of a friend and got arrested.
“Investigation is currently ongoing and suspects are in police custody.
Electronic devices of the suspects have been retained for forensic examination to assist in the investigation,” the prosecution added.
Meanwhile, the CSA has asked anyone who has fallen victim to cybercrime to report to the authority or the Cyber Crime Unit of the Ghana Police Service.
Writer’s mail: justice.agbenorsi@graphic.com.gh
