The Ghana Police Service has arrested seven individuals in connection with a fraudulent scheme involving fake electronic traffic violation notifications designed to extort money from unsuspecting motorists.
According to police sources, the suspects are believed to be part of a syndicate that created and circulated counterfeit electronic traffic offence messages, falsely claiming to originate from official road safety and law enforcement authorities. The messages reportedly informed recipients that they had committed traffic violations and were required to pay fines through designated payment platforms to avoid further penalties or prosecution.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects used bulk messaging systems and spoofed digital identities to make the notifications appear legitimate. Victims were allegedly directed to make payments into mobile money accounts and other channels controlled by members of the group.
The fraudulent scheme came to light after several motorists reported receiving suspicious traffic offence alerts despite not committing any violations. Some victims who made payments later realized that the notices were fake and promptly alerted the authorities.
Police intelligence operations led to the tracking of phone numbers and financial transactions linked to the scam. A coordinated operation resulted in the arrest of the seven suspects at different locations. During the arrests, officers retrieved mobile phones, SIM cards, laptops, and other electronic devices believed to have been used in executing the scheme.
The Police Service has assured the public that investigations are ongoing to identify additional accomplices and to determine the full scale of the operation. The suspects are expected to be arraigned before court to face charges including fraud, impersonation, and unlawful possession of electronic communication equipment.
The Police have further cautioned the public to be vigilant and to verify any traffic violation notice through official channels before making payments. Motorists are advised to rely only on verified communication platforms and to report any suspicious messages to the nearest police station or through official police contact numbers.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting citizens from digital fraud schemes.
