The Ghana Police Service has arrested a man for allegedly impersonating a medical doctor and defrauding victims under the guise of securing international travel opportunities.
The suspect, Frederick Papa Kow-Assifuah, was apprehended on Thursday, June 6, 2025, in Kasoa Crispo City, Central Region, following an intelligence-led operation by the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID). At the time of his arrest, Kow-Assifuah was dressed in a white lab coat with a stethoscope around his neck, preparing to meet another potential victim he had lured online.
A search of the premises uncovered multiple medical items in his possession, including stethoscopes, IV drips, syringes, sample bottles, vaccines, a Ghanaian passport, and GH¢8,500 in cash. Police suspect these items were used to bolster his fraudulent medical persona and deceive victims. During interrogation, Kow-Assifuah admitted to posing as a doctor at the United Brain Hospital in Mallam, Accra, and using his fake identity to exploit unsuspecting individuals.
Investigations revealed that the suspect targeted women online, initiating romantic relationships before convincing them to pay for non-existent travel arrangements to Europe. His elaborate scheme involved leveraging his fabricated medical credentials to gain trust before defrauding his victims. The police have warned the public to be cautious of such scams, particularly those involving fake professionals offering overseas opportunities.
Kow-Assifuah is currently in police custody assisting with further investigations and will soon be arraigned before court. The Ghana Police Service has commended the public for their vigilance and urged anyone with additional information on similar fraudulent activities to come forward. This arrest highlights the increasing sophistication of online scams and the importance of verifying professional credentials before engaging in financial transactions.
