Police in the Western Region have arrested Foster Delord (40) and Prince Worvi (38) for extorting gold dealers under the guise of being officials of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) Taskforce.
The suspects posed as members of the official GoldBod Taskforce, visiting gold trading hubs in Tarkwa and nearby areas to extort money from dealers.
They reinforced their deception by falsely claiming to be former military officers, lending false credibility to their actions.
Two suspects arrested for impersonating taskforce members were found with items resembling official enforcement gear, including uniforms, handcuffs, pepper spray, a taser, and GH¢500 in cash.
They were arraigned before the Tarkwa Circuit Court and have been remanded into police custody as investigations continue.
The Western Central Regional Police Command has since urged the public to demand proper identification from anyone claiming to represent a government agency.
This issue matters because it erodes public trust in legitimate enforcement agencies responsible for regulating the gold trade.
The presence of impersonators complicates efforts to combat gold smuggling, as traders may become skeptical of genuine taskforce operations.
It also exposes weaknesses in community vigilance and underscores the need for clearer communication and official accreditation to distinguish authorized personnel from fraudsters.
The police will continue investigations to uncover the full extent of the suspects’ activities and identify any accomplices. Formal charges are expected for impersonation, extortion, and the unauthorized use of police-like equipment. In response, Gold Bod and other security agencies may release further public advisories or introduce measures to verify the credentials of authorized taskforces.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
