Eight arrested in Sunyani West for assaulting man during “initiation” into internet fraud

The Bono Regional Police Command in Ghana has arrested eight individuals in connection with the assault of a 21-year-old man in Sunyani West. According to the Ghana Police Service, the assault occurred on October 4 at Kotokrom, a suburb within the Sunyani West Municipality. The suspects claimed that the beating was part of the victim's initiation into internet fraud.

Upon receiving a distress call at 4:30 pm on October 4, police found the victim, Godstime Umukoro, with numerous signs of assault. The suspects, identified as Peter Mbam, Godwin Moses, Humble Oweifah, Osas Ogbemudia, Samuel Aisosa, Ashile Godbess, Alexander Uyuo, and Patrick Romans, were all arrested at the scene. During questioning, the suspects admitted to severely beating Mr. Umukoro as part of his initiation into the internet fraud business.

They also stated that they had participated in similar acts themselves. The suspects reportedly entered Ghana under the guidance of a man named Nwachukwu King Augustine, who is described by police as their chairman. The group allegedly lured victims by using images of foreign soldiers and chatting with them under the pretense of being at the war front in Yemen. Once they received money from a victim, it was deposited into their leader's account.