The Ghana Police Service has identified and dismantled what investigators describe as a meticulously organised cyber fraud network that took advantage of public confidence in law enforcement by issuing counterfeit electronic traffic violation notices.
The deceptive messages, which spread extensively over the past week, misleadingly appeared to come from the Police Service and urged recipients to click on links to pay purported traffic fines.
Investigators report that these links directed victims to payment channels designed to extract funds from unsuspecting individuals through a series of mobile money transfers.
During a press conference at the National Police Headquarters in Accra on Thursday, February 26, 2026, Chief Superintendent Alexander Kwaku Obeng revealed that seven individuals had been apprehended following a focused intelligence-led operation.
“Seven suspects have been taken into custody, all of whom are assisting with ongoing investigations,” he confirmed.
The police indicated that the investigation uncovered a complex financial framework aimed at concealing the flow of funds.
Reportedly, the proceeds from victims were funnelled through numerous mobile money accounts before being aggregated by Martha Quarshie, identified as a vendor operating in Ada.
Her arrest and subsequent questioning led officers to Prosper Otumfour, whom authorities describe as the principal architect of the scheme. He was captured at his home in Winneba.
A search of the location uncovered GH¢4,188 in cash, several SIM cards, mobile phones, and laptops believed to have been utilised in executing the fraud.
Subsequent operations led to the arrest of Robert Akplehe and Christian Akplehe, both mobile money vendors, as well as Michael Edem Amemornu, who investigators claim received portions of the fraudulent proceeds.
Searches conducted at their residences and workplaces revealed additional electronic devices, SIM cards, bank cards, and cash totalling several thousand cedis.
Police investigations indicate that Prosper Otumfour registered Telecel Cash SIM cards under the names of associates, including some of the suspects, to receive payments from victims.
The funds were subsequently transferred to Martha Quarshie, who redistributed them through a network of accounts, resulting in what investigators characterise as a deliberate attempt to conceal the source and final destination of the money.
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 anticipated to be charged in court.
Police report that efforts are ongoing to identify additional collaborators.
The coordinated operation was executed across Accra, Ada, and Winneba, with police praising the officers involved for their prompt and systematic execution.
In response to the incident, the Police Service announced that it is progressing plans to implement an automated traffic enforcement system, Traffitech-GH, designed to enhance transparency and reduce opportunities for fraud in the issuance of traffic penalties.
This initiative is being developed in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Transport, the National Road Safety Authority, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, and the Ministry of Finance.
The Police Service reiterated its commitment to safeguarding citizens from cyber-enabled crime and cautioned that individuals who exploit its name or systems to commit fraud would face decisive legal repercussions.
