By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu, GNA
Kasseh-Ada, Feb. 11, GNA – National Security operatives in the Ada East District have arrested 23 persons, including a 14‑year‑old boy, over suspected fraudulent activities at Kasseh.
The suspects, picked up on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, comprise 10 females and 13 males.
They include 21 Nigerians and two Ghanaians.
Mr Peter Mensah Afanu, the Ada East District National Security Coordinator, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that his outfit gathered intelligence on the group about three weeks ago and began monitoring their movements and meetings.
He said the suspects were later traced to a church where they had assembled for what was believed to be an operational meeting.
According to him, the group claimed to be distributors of a company called Neolife, presenting themselves as sales agents for its products.
He added that two boys, aged 14 and 15, were allegedly lured into the group.
A search on the suspects led to the retrieval of 25 mobile phones, three syringes, and some medications, some of which were believed to have expired in 2024.
Mr Afanu said preliminary interrogation suggested that the group had been operating for nearly two years across communities including Ada, Kasseh, Tojeh, Sogakorpe, Sege and nearby areas.
He added that the National Security Headquarters had directed that the suspects be kept in police custody pending their transfer to Accra for further action.
He cautioned parents and guardians to pay close attention to the activities of their wards to prevent them from falling prey to suspected scamming networks.
Meanwhile, the alleged leader of the group, Success Clement Nwafo Chidimma, aged 28, told the GNA that they were only young people trying to make a living.
She denied any intention to defraud the public, stating that they sold products only to willing buyers.
She appealed for leniency, describing their activities as commercial rather than criminal.
The 14‑year‑old suspect told the GNA that his parents could not afford to enrol him in school.
He said he was approached by a member of the group with promises of earning money, and was later informed he needed to sell products worth about GH¢450 to qualify for registration as an official distributor.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo / Lydia Kukua Asamoah