MILITARY JOB SCAM! 73 Victims Lose GH¢1.68 Million

A 41-year-old woman and a former soldier have landed in trouble over an alleged fake Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) recruitment scam that reportedly swindled desperate job seekers out of more than GH¢1.68 million.

Patience Mbaye, a ward assistant, appeared before an Accra Circuit Court after prosecutors accused her of taking GH¢675,000 from 26 people with promises of securing them military jobs.

Her alleged accomplice, former Senior Warrant Officer Jeffery Naboung, is currently on the run. Prosecutors say he collected another GH¢1,005,000 from 47 victims using the same recruitment scheme.

Together, the pair allegedly pocketed GH¢1.68 million from 73 unsuspecting applicants hoping to join the Ghana Armed Forces.

Mbaye has been charged with conspiracy to commit crime and three counts of defrauding by false pretences. She pleaded not guilty.

The court granted her bail of GH¢100,000 with three justified sureties, including one public servant, and ordered her to report to investigators every Wednesday and Friday. The case has been adjourned to July 27, 2026.

According to Prosecutor Inspector Frank Morgan Dorvi, the alleged scam began between 2023 and 2024 when Abdul Malik Ali, an okada rider, met Mbaye. She allegedly convinced him she had powerful connections capable of securing military recruitment slots.

Ali reportedly spread the information to others, including Prisons Officer Fatima Adam, who contacted Mbaye to verify the offer. Prosecutors say Mbaye assured her that she and Naboung had already helped several people gain entry into the military.

Victims were allegedly instructed to pay as much as GH¢25,000 into bank accounts linked to Naboung as part of the supposed recruitment process.

Investigations revealed that Mbaye and Naboung allegedly received GH¢675,000 and GH¢1,005,000, respectively, through their GCB Bank accounts from people eager to enlist in the Ghana Armed Forces.

The promised recruitment never happened, and despite repeated demands, the victims allegedly failed to recover their money, prompting them to report the matter to the Police.

While Mbaye is facing trial, security agencies are still searching for Naboung, who remains at large.