The Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (SCHOLSEC), in partnership with the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), has arrested a man believed to be behind a sophisticated online scam that exploited unsuspecting citizens seeking government scholarships.
The suspect, identified as Emmanuel Ofori, allegedly created multiple fake social media accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, impersonating the official Scholarship Secretariat to solicit money from victims under the pretext of offering government-sponsored scholarships.
Investigators say Ofori went as far as issuing counterfeit award letters and certificates bearing forged signatures of SCHOLSEC’s Registrar, deceiving several applicants desperate for educational support.
He was arrested in Tema following an intelligence-led operation initiated after the Registrar, Mr. Alex Kwaku Asafo-Agyei, formally reported the matter to the NIB. The suspect is expected to be arraigned before court on Monday to face charges of fraud and impersonation.
Registrar Commends NIB, Urges Victims to Speak Up
Speaking to journalists after the arrest, Mr. Asafo-Agyei lauded the NIB’s swift response and urged victims of the scam to assist with ongoing investigations.
“We commend the NIB for its rapid intervention and call on anyone who may have been defrauded to come forward with evidence,” he said.
“The Scholarship Secretariat remains committed to transparency. We do not charge any fees for scholarship applications, and every award goes through a verifiable and merit-based process.”
He advised the public to disregard any unverified online offers or individuals promising access to scholarships in exchange for money, emphasizing that all official information is published exclusively on the Secretariat’s verified platforms.
Public Caution and Wider Crackdown
Authorities have described the arrest as part of a broader national effort to clamp down on digital fraud, particularly schemes that target students and job seekers through fake government portals and social media accounts.
In recent months, SCHOLSEC has intensified public education on scholarship fraud, warning citizens to verify all information through official communication channels or by calling 0302907058 or 0302907051.
The Secretariat, established to support brilliant but financially constrained students, continues to play a vital role in promoting access to higher education. Officials say the latest arrest sends a strong signal to fraudsters exploiting the hopes of students and parents.
“Education is a sacred trust,” Mr. Asafo-Agyei emphasized. “We will not allow criminals to use that trust to exploit innocent people.”
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