{
  "id": 15905762,
  "title": "Ghanaian jailed in US for using relative’s identity to secure job",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/ghanaian-jailed-in-us-for-using-relatives-identity-to-secure-job-15905762",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T15:15:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghanaian-jailed-in-us-for-using-relatives-identity-to-secure-job/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a recent legal case in the United States, Linford Atakora, a 29-year-old Ghanaian, received a nine-month federal sentence for using the identity of an American citizen relative to secure employment. The sentence, imposed by US District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland, stems from a felony charge of misuse of a Social Security number. Atakora was found guilty of fraudulently using his relative's personal information, including their driver's licence and Social Security card, to obtain a job at a home health agency in Bismarck, North Dakota. Despite not having a valid Social Security number or work authorization, Atakora proceeded to complete necessary paperwork, including an IRS Form W-4 and an employee information form, all using his relative's information. The fraudulent activities resulted in the home health agency falsely receiving $51,435.63 in claims from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. US Attorney Nicholas W. Chase emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating that using another's identity to circumvent immigration work requirements is a federal crime. He also announced that Atakora would be removed from the United States to Ghana as per court order. The case is part of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat fraud involving public funds and federal benefit programs, with the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division.",
  "summary": "A 29-year-old Ghanaian, Linford Atakora, has been sentenced to approximately nine months in federal custody in the United States for fraudulently using the identity of a relative who is an American citizen to obtain employment at a home health agency.",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghanaian Linford Atakora sentenced to nine months in US for identity fraud.",
    "Used relative's Social Security number and driver's license to obtain job.",
    "Returned to Ghana as per court order after conviction for fraud."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Ghanaian jailed in US for using relative’s identity to secure job",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/ghanaian-jailed-in-us-for-using-relatives-identity-to-secure-job",
        "published": "2026-10-21T14:51:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}