Two persons, one of whom posed as a medical doctor stationed at the Ga West Municipal Hospital, have been arrested for allegedly defrauding some persons under the pretext of getting them enrolled into the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies.
Francis Essilfie, 38, and Emmanuel Andrews Dougan, 44, were arrested at Fise, near Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region.
So far three people have reported to the police of having being swindled of an amount of GH¢7,000 by the duo, but the police believe the suspects may have defrauded more people.
The Amasaman Divisional Police Commander, Chief Superintendent of Police Mr Francis Yiribaare, who briefed the Daily Graphic, said the suspects had claimed they could recruit people into the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and other security agencies through protocol arrangements because they had links with some high-ranking officers in those institutions.
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First complaint
Mr Yiribaare said the first complaint in the matter was filed at the Amasaman Police Station by a trader at Fise on January 14, 2019.
The trader, whose name is being withheld, is said to have told the police that in December 2018, Essilfie introduced himself to her as a medical doctor at the Ga West Municipal Hospital.
The police commander said Essilfie allegedly took GH¢3,000 from the trader under the pretext of helping her son get enrolled into the Ghana Police Service through protocol arrangements.
He said he also had links with high-ranking officers in the other security agencies, including the Ghana Immigration Service and the GNFS.
After receiving the money, Mr Yiribaare said, Essilfie gave the trader’s son an appointment letter purported to have been issued by the police administration.
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In the letter, the young man was required to report at the Regional Police Training School (RPTS) in the Eastern Region on February 15, 2019 to commence training.
The trader showed the letter to some relations of hers who told her that the appointment letter was fake, leading her to file a complaint with the police.
Arrest
Through intelligence, the police found out that Essilfie was working with an accomplice called Dougan, who was arrested at Fise, following which Essilfie was arrested at his hideout at Adjen Kotoku.
Police preliminary investigations have established that Essilfie is a Senior Accounts officer at the Ga North Municipal Hospital and not a medical officer as he portrayed himself, while Dougan, on the other hand, is the manager of a guest house at Fise.
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Two other victims from the Brong Ahafo and Western Regions have also contacted the police with the claim that the two men had defrauded them using the same modus operandi.
Mr Yiribaare said the police believe that many more people have fallen victim to the two who have been arrested.
He, therefore, urges anyone who has been swindled by the suspects to contact the Amasaman police or the nearest police station.