In a concerning instance of financial fraud, a 20-year-old security officer, Edwin Doko, employed at a bank in Ho, has been arrested for defrauding nine customers of a significant sum of GHC 82,980.00. The fraudulent activities reportedly took place over a span of less than three weeks, between January 14 and February 2, 2026.
The case came to light after Mr. John Senyo Agbo, an official with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) stationed at Batume Junction in Ho, reported unauthorized transactions on his bank account. On January 23, 2026, Mr. Agbo received an alert indicating that GHC 3,700.00 had been withdrawn from his account and transferred to a Telecel mobile money account without his consent. Upon contacting his bank, Mr. Agbo was informed that the institution bore no responsibility for the transaction. This prompted him to escalate the matter to the Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which led to the arrest of Edwin Doko.
During interrogation, Doko confessed to his crimes, admitting that he had defrauded eight other customers using similar methods. His modus operandi involved offering assistance to customers who were struggling to fill out deposit forms. Under the guise of helping them, he would take photographs of their completed forms and later use the information for fraudulent activities.
The Branch Manager of the bank confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing. However, the manager clarified that Doko was not a direct employee of the bank but was likely associated with a private security agency contracted by the institution. Further details about Doko’s employment arrangement remain undisclosed.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and due diligence in hiring personnel for sensitive roles such as security and customer assistance. It also highlights the need for robust measures to safeguard against criminal activities within both private and public institutions. The trust placed in individuals occupying such positions is paramount, and any breach of this trust can have far-reaching consequences for both customers and organizations.
Authorities are continuing their investigations to ensure that justice is served and to prevent similar occurrences in the future. In the meantime, customers are urged to remain cautious and vigilant when handling sensitive financial information, even within seemingly secure environments.
This case underscores the critical need for enhanced security protocols and thorough background checks when recruiting staff for roles involving access to customer data or financial transactions. It also reinforces the broader call for institutions to adopt stringent monitoring systems to detect and deter fraudulent activities effectively.
As investigations proceed, this unfortunate episode serves as a cautionary tale for institutions, employees, and customers alike. Trust is a cornerstone of any financial system, and safeguarding it requires collective effort and unwavering commitment to integrity.
-By Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
