There is a growing trend on social media specifically Facebook and other online platforms about a police, military, immigration, fire and Prison services recruitment scam where many young Ghanaians have fallen victim to these acts.
Their mode of operandi are such that individuals receive a link on their smartphone advertising for recruitment in the security services and therefore the only way to get enlisted is through a middle man or protocol.
These cartel are operating with a group name known as Madam Gloria with Whatsapp profile of a military woman who always answers the phone call indicating she is from Burma Camp and first asks about your age, name and educational level.
Narrating his encounter with the fraudsters to Republic Press (RP) one of the victims, Master Addo Obeng Joshua whose dream is to become a police officer said he has tried many times to be recruited into the Ghana Police Service but to no avail so when “I got the link and the person promised to help me I got interested.”
“When Madam Gloria immediately got my results slip, she told me, I am qualified and that she will help me get enlistment into the police force.”
He added that now the link that will grant me access to fill the forms has been closed, unless she goes to the office and fill it herself and that one will cost me GH 200.00, which I gladly obliged.
“Days after sending the money to her, she sent me a form which reads; Ghana Police Service Online Recruitment Official Ranks ( all in caps)-2021, 2021/07/28 at 09:05:036 with a crest supposed to be of Ghana Police,” he stated.
The form also contained a qualified written in red ink on the top right corner with Application Summary Report all in caps with his picture at right side. It also has GPS/00979/R/2021, Branch: General Duty, Trade Type Non-Trademan with his bio data.
It again has educational data, BECE result inspected, WASSCE result and educational details.
“After she sent me the above details, she demanded for another GH 200.00 to buy a scratch card that will give me an access to view where my application has gotten to but this time I spoke with a friend who asked me to hold on for him to first verify,” he stated.
Republic Press encounter
The Republic Press sent a message to the MTN number 0245000527, the scammers are using and immediately a replied came wanting to know how old am I and my educational level which I proceeded with a call and a female voice answered the call.
“I also replied by giving my age and added my educational qualification but wanted the link to fill the forms myself which she replied, Hello, for now you have to get a middle man or middle woman to help you through else it will be difficult for you to be recruited into the service okay for now.”
Ghana police respond to fake enlistment
Checks at the Ghana Police Service Public Affairs Department about the ongoing online fake enlistment revealed that there is no online recruitment of police personnel and that if the service is ready to recruit it will embark on official announcement.
The department therefore called on the youth who are eager to enter the police force and other security services to be vigilant and not fall prey to these fraudsters and scammers who impersonate or act to be working for the service.