Accra Man Arrested for GH¢107,000 Security Services Recruitment Scam

A travel and tour agent has been remanded into custody after allegedly swindling a civil servant and his relatives of over GH¢107,000 by falsely promising them positions within Ghana's security and revenue agencies. Clement Osei-Wusu, who is based in Weija in Accra, used social media recruitment advertisements to lure victims into what authorities describe as an elaborate fraud scheme targeting job seekers desperate for employment in government institutions.

An Accra Circuit Court has charged Osei-Wusu with defrauding by false pretences. He pleaded not guilty but is expected to reappear on September 22, 2026, as the case proceeds. The court, presided over by Mr Joseph Y. Kunsong, has held him in lawful custody pending trial.

How the scam operated

According to the prosecution, Osei-Wusu administered a WhatsApp group titled "Limited Job Opportunities" where he posted bogus recruitment advertisements for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Ghana Police Service (GPS), Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), and Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). The complainant, a civil servant from the Bono Region, joined the platform in October 2025 after his cousin Gbenyare Yahaya spotted the opportunities and shared them with him.

The accused offered a tiered pricing structure for placements: GH¢15,000 for GRA slots and GH¢19,000 for positions in the military and other security services. On October 17, 2025, the complainant and his cousin visited Osei-Wusu's office at Weija SCC and paid for two GAF slots. During subsequent conversations, the accused dangled additional opportunities in the GIS and GPS, prompting the victim to make further payments.

Between December 2025 and early 2026, the complainant transferred GH¢35,000 into the accused's Fidelity Bank account and made additional payments totalling GH¢20,000 through Mobile Money and two rural bank accounts. Osei-Wusu later demanded another GH¢5,000, claiming he could expedite the complainant's son's transfer from the second batch of GAF recruits to the first. The total sum extracted reached GH¢107,000.

Why it matters for Ghana

This case exemplifies a growing threat to Ghanaian job seekers: fraudulent recruitment schemes that exploit unemployment anxiety and hope for stable government employment. Security services recruitment in Ghana is highly competitive, and legitimate vacancies are managed through official government channels—not private intermediaries operating WhatsApp groups.

The scam highlights how criminals exploit digital platforms to reach multiple victims simultaneously, particularly targeting civil servants and educated professionals who may not suspect foul play from seemingly organised operations. The fact that the accused allegedly admitted the offence in his caution statement suggests strong evidence against him, but this case serves as a warning to Ghanaians seeking employment to verify opportunities only through official government websites and recruitment portals.

Citizens should note that authentic recruitment into Ghana's security forces—whether the military, police, immigration service, or revenue authority—never requires advance payments to intermediaries. The Police and other government agencies conduct open, transparent recruitment processes with no private agents involved.

Next steps

The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Raymond Ackom, presented evidence showing a pattern of deliberate deception: Osei-Wusu took payments, blocked the complainant's communication, and failed to deliver any promised placements. The complainant eventually reported the matter to Police on August 8, 2026, leading to the arrest.

Citizens who believe they may be victims of similar schemes are encouraged to report to the Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) immediately and avoid transferring money to unofficial accounts for any government recruitment process.