Police in Cape Coast have arrested a man accused of defrauding victims by claiming he could secure Canadian visas and work permits for them.
The suspect, who allegedly posed as Dr. Patrick Nelson Ayittey, claimed he was a staff member at the Office of the Vice President, a captain in the Ghana Armed Forces and had links to the Canadian Embassy.
According to the Ghana Police Service, he collected GHS 5,325 and GHS 8,200 from victims between December 2025 and January 2026 but failed to deliver on his promises or refund the money.
Briefing the media, Chief Inspector Isaac Evans Ettie of the Central Regional Police Command said the Abura Police Station received a report about the alleged fraud.
“Between December, 2025, and January 2026, one Dr. Patrick Nelson Ayittey, who claimed to be a worker at the Vice President’s Office, a Captain in the Ghana Armed Forces and also had affiliations with the Canadian Embassy had collected GHS 5,325.00 and GHS 8,200.00 respectively from victims under the pretext of securing them Canadian Visas and work permits but had failed and all efforts to refund the money have been unsuccessful,” he said.
Police intelligence led to the suspect’s arrest at his hideout in Abura, Cape Coast.
A search of his residence reportedly uncovered about 10 Ghanaian passports and other documents, including school certificates, birth certificates and Ghana Cards.
Further investigations revealed that the suspect is not a member of the Ghana Armed Forces, not an employee at the Vice President’s Office, has no affiliation with the Canadian Embassy and is not a medical doctor.
Police identified the suspect as Patrick Nii Torto.
He has been arraigned before the Cape Coast Circuit Court, presided over by Her Worship Nana Aba Quiaba Nunoo, and was remanded into police custody to assist with investigations into other similar cases. He is expected to reappear in court on March 3, 2026.
The Police Command urged anyone who may have been defrauded or has information about the suspect to contact the police on 18555 or 191.
