The Bono Regional Police Command has arrested eight suspects for allegedly assaulting a 21-year-old man as part of an initiation into an internet fraud business, locally known as ‘sakawa,’ at Kotokrom, a suburb of the Sunyani West Municipality.
The suspects were arrested on Sunday, October 4, 2026, after the Regional Operations Unit received a distress call at about 4:30 p.m. reporting that a group of people were attacking a man in the area.
According to a police statement, officers who responded to the call found the victim, identified as Godstime Umukoro, with multiple marks of assault on his body. The eight suspects were arrested at the scene.
They 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.
Alleged internet fraud operation
The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were brought to Ghana by a man identified as Nwachukwu King Augustine, whom they described as their chairman.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly admitted to subjecting Umukoro to severe beatings as part of his initiation into internet fraud, claiming that they had undergone the same process.
The police further disclosed that the group allegedly used downloaded images of foreign military personnel to deceive unsuspecting victims online.
According to the statement, the suspects initiated conversations with their targets under the pretext that they were military personnel deployed to the war front in Yemen.
After allegedly persuading their victims to send money, the proceeds were paid into an account belonging to their alleged leader, Augustine, the police said.
Police commend public
The Bono Regional Police Command has commended members of the public for their swift intervention and assured residents of its continued collaboration with the public to combat crime in the region.
