Tourist Who Alleged Kidnap Snubs Police Investigators

An official statement from the Ghana Police Service has said Arianna Naomi Mackey, the American lady who alleged on social media that she was kidnapped and robbed during a recent leisure visit to Ghana has stopped cooperating with investigations tasked to look into the matter.

Arianna Naomi Mackey has also refused to give the identity and contact details of friends she had mentioned as eye witnesses, the Police statement, issued on Tuesday December 9 noted.

She is also reported to have deleted the video in which she made the allegation that she was kidnapped.

Despite the setbacks, the Police Service says it is continuing investigations into the matter and has assured all residents and visitors to Ghana of their safety.

The full statement reads:

POLICE INVESTIGATE VIRAL VIDEO OF ARIANNA NAOMI MACKEY, AN AMERICAN CITIZEN, ALLEGEDLY KIDNAPPED AND ROBBED BY PERSONS PURPORTED TO BE POLICE OFFICERS

1. The Criminal Investigation Department has launched an investigation into a viral video in which a woman identified as Arianna Naomi Mackey, an American citizen, claims she was kidnapped by five masked men, whom she alleges were officers of the Ghana Police Service on snap-check duty in Accra, and robbed her of some amount of money.
2. Preliminary investigations indicate that the video was recorded at a hotel in Accra where Ms. Mackey and two companions were staying. The investigation also confirmed that they checked out of the hotel on December 5th, 2025. Checks at the Kotoka International Airport also disclosed that she left Ghana on the same day.
3. The Police subsequently contacted the alleged victim to assist the investigation. She indicated to Police that she was out of the country and she could not get the names of the alleged officers nor the number plate of the vehicle they were using.
4. Police further requested for the contact details of her friend in Ghana, who she said was with her during the time of the incident. She, however, stated that her friend does not want to be involved in the investigation.
5. She has since deleted the video on her page and further efforts by the Investigators to contact her through WhatsApp calls and messages have proved unsuccessful, as she has declined to respond and later blocked the team.
6. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to secure her cooperation through appropriate diplomatic channels.
7. The Ghana Police Service treats such allegations very seriously and remains committed to uncovering the facts in this case.

SIGNED.

Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo

Public Relations Officer

Criminal Investigation Department. (CID)