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The Ghana Police Service has arrested eight persons in the Ashanti Region for allegedly luring unsuspecting members of the public into fraudulent gambling activities and stealing their money and personal belongings.
In a press release issued by the Ashanti Regional Police Command and signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police Godwin Ahianyo, Head of the Public Affairs Unit, the Command disclosed that the suspects were apprehended on Sunday, March 2, 2026, at Adehyeaman, a suburb of Kumasi.
According to the statement, intelligence gathered by the Command indicated that a group of young men had assembled in the area and were actively engaging in illegal gambling operations. The suspects allegedly deceived passersby and residents into participating in what appeared to be legitimate street games.
However, victims reportedly lost substantial sums of money in the process, with some also being deprived of their personal effects.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, a team from the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) was dispatched to the location. The officers arrested the suspects while they were reportedly engaged in the unlawful activities.
The eight suspects have been identified as Akwasi Atakari, 36; Mandela Peprah, 31; Ernest Oduro, 28; Joseph Odoom, 31; Augustine Agyeman, 24; Eric Addo, 33; Dorcas Atanga, 22; and Agnes Baser, 21.
During the operation, police retrieved a total of Fifteen Thousand Two Hundred and Sixty Ghana Cedis (GH¢15,260), believed to be proceeds from the suspected criminal enterprise. The money has been retained as an exhibit to aid investigations.
Police authorities confirmed that the suspects have been cautioned and their statements duly taken. They remain in custody assisting with investigations and are expected to be arraigned before court.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has cautioned the public to remain vigilant and to avoid participating in street gambling or similar unsolicited games, particularly those organized in open spaces by unknown individuals. The Command noted that such schemes are often carefully orchestrated to defraud unsuspecting victims under the guise of entertainment or quick financial gain.
“The public is urged to exercise extreme caution and to refrain from engaging in such activities, as they are frequently designed to deceive and steal,” the statement emphasized.
Residents have also been encouraged to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or contact the police emergency numbers 191 or 18555 for immediate assistance.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents in the Ashanti Region and pledged to intensify operations against criminal networks exploiting vulnerable members of the public.
The latest arrests form part of ongoing efforts by the Ghana Police Service to clamp down on fraudulent schemes and restore public confidence in community safety across Kumasi and its environs.
