Accra: The Gbese District Court has sentenced a man to 30 days' imprisonment for defrauding by false pretences. The convict, identified as Fidelis Samuel Mensah, is said to have falsely posed as an employee of the National Identification Authority (NIA) to defraud applicants at the NIA Regional Office in Accra.
According to Ghana Web, investigations revealed that Mensah deceived members of the public by offering to assist them with Ghana Card registration and update services. Through his fraudulent activities, he unlawfully obtained cash, mobile phones, and personal documents from unsuspecting victims.
The NIA reported that Mensah admitted wrongdoing after his arrest in a joint intelligence-led operation and pleaded guilty to charges of stealing and defrauding by false pretences. "Following his arrest through a joint operation by the NIA Police Investigation Unit and NIA staff, he pleaded guilty to charges of stealing and defrauding by false pretences and was convicted on his own plea," the statement added.
The NIA went ahead to caution the public to remain vigilant and deal only with authorised officials at designated service points.