The Cybercrime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has cautioned the public about the increasing rate of rent fraud in the country.
The unit said it had received seven alleged rent fraud cases within the past one week, involving an amount of GH¢52,000.
The Director of the Unit, Chief Superintendent Dr Gustav Yankson told the Ghanaian Times in Accra yesterday that three suspects (names withheld) have been arrested in connection with such crime.
He said officials of the CID were also on a manhunt for three others involved in the crime.
Chief Supt Yankson said most of the victims were medical doctors and civil servant.
The director said the modus operandi of the fraudsters, believed to be operating in a syndicate, was that they put various adverts on accommodation rent on the internet.
He explained that after their victims expressed interest and got in touch with them (agents), they would claim that the accommodation had been given out to people.
Chief Supt Yankson said the suspects would later take the unsuspecting accommodation seeker to certain apartments and introduce them to the supposed ‘landlords’ who would issue a receipt covering the rent amount, after agreement had been reached.
The Director said after taken the money the suspects would abscond without any trace.
He assured of the police’s continuous effort in clamping down on such “trending crimes” and called on the public to provide information on such criminals to the police for immediate action.
“The trend is increasing and we call on all to be vigilant of such online advertisements,” he added.
Chief Supt Yankson urged the public to be wary of such adverts before transacting business, adding that clients should do due diligence before going into any business.
By Anita Nyarko-Yirenkyi
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