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The Ghana Police Service has arrested seven individuals linked to a fraudulent scheme involving fake electronic traffic violation notices sent to members of the public.
The scam, which circulated over the past week, involved messages falsely claiming to originate from the Police Service. Recipients were directed to click on links to pay supposed traffic fines. Investigations revealed the operation was designed to defraud unsuspecting victims through multiple mobile money transfers.
Addressing the media at the National Police Headquarters in Accra on February 26, Chief Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng said the arrests followed a coordinated operation by the Police Intelligence Directorate in collaboration with cybercrime units.
Investigators discovered that funds collected from victims were routed through several mobile money accounts before being consolidated by suspect Martha Quarshie, a vendor based in Ada. Her interrogation led to the arrest of Prosper Otumfour, identified as the alleged mastermind, at his residence in Winneba. Police recovered GH₵4,188 in cash, multiple SIM cards, mobile phones, and laptops believed to have been used in the scheme.
Further arrests included Robert Akplehe and Christian Akplehe, both mobile money vendors, and Michael Edem Amemornu, who was identified as a beneficiary of the fraudulent transfers. Searches at various locations uncovered additional electronic devices, SIM cards, bank cards, and cash.
According to police, the suspects registered Telecel Cash SIM cards in the names of associates to receive payments from victims. The funds were then transferred through a layered network to obscure the money trail.
All seven suspects — Martha Quarshie, Peter Ofori McCarthy, Alfred Kofi Totimeh, Prosper Otumfour, Robert Akplehe, Christian Akplehe, and Michael Edem Amemornu — remain in custody and are expected to be charged in court. Investigations are ongoing to identify other members of the syndicate.
In a related development, the Police announced plans to introduce Traffitech-GH, an automated traffic law enforcement system aimed at improving road safety and reducing fraud in traffic fine issuance. The initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Transport, National Road Safety Authority, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, and the Ministry of Finance.
The Ghana Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to combating fraud and cybercrime, warning that individuals who misuse its name for criminal activities will face swift legal consequences.
