The Bono Regional Police Command has arrested eight suspects for allegedly assaulting a 21-year-old man as part of an initiation process into an internet fraud operation at Kotokrom, a suburb of the Sunyani West Municipality.
The suspects, aged between 18 and 30, were arrested on October 4, 2026, after a police patrol team responded to a distress call about an ongoing attack at approximately 4:30 p.m.
According to the police, officers who arrived at the scene found the victim, identified as Godstime Umukoro, with multiple marks of assault on his body. The suspects were arrested at the scene.
The eight suspects have been identified as Peter Mbam, 24; Godwin Moses, 26; Humble Oweifah, 18; Osas Ogbemudia, 30; Samuel Aisosa, 22; Ashile Godbess, 24; Alexander Uyuo, 30; and Patrick Romans, 25.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly told investigators that they had subjected Umukoro to severe beating as part of his initiation into the internet fraud business.
The police statement indicated that the suspects claimed to have undergone a similar process themselves.
Preliminary investigations further revealed that the suspects were allegedly brought to Ghana by a man identified as Nwachukwu King Augustine, described by the police as their chairman.
Investigators say the group allegedly targeted unsuspecting individuals online by using downloaded photographs of foreign military personnel.
According to the preliminary findings, the suspects initiated conversations with their targets while falsely claiming to be military personnel deployed to the war front in Yemen.
The group allegedly collected money from victims and transferred the proceeds into an account belonging to their alleged leader.
The police have not provided further details about the total amount of money allegedly obtained through the scheme or the number of people affected.
The Bono Regional Police Command has commended members of the public for their swift intervention and cooperation in the fight against crime.
The command also assured residents of its continued collaboration with the public to combat criminal activities across the region.
Further updates on the investigation and any subsequent court proceedings are awaited.
Read the statement below:
