Charlatanic advertisements criminal – Police warns

These charlatanic activities, the Police said, are assuming serious security implications for society as a whole.

The activities which often begin with misleading advertisements on some mainstream and social media platforms lure unsuspecting members of the public, including children and deceive them into engaging in dubious acts, in the hope of getting rich overnight.

Police said its investigations have recently shown that the upsurge in such activities have contributed to serious crimes such as defrauding by false pretenses, kidnapping, and even murder.

According to the law enforcers, some recent notorious cases attributable to the phenomenon include the Mankessim murder case, where the suspects under the pretext of sending their victims abroad, murdered them for ritual money and the Kasoa case where two teenage boys murdered their colleague also for ritual money.

The Police has, thus, reminded the public that charlatanic advertisement are not just unethical but criminal and punishable under the laws of Ghana.

“We, therefore, urge operators of electronic communication networks, providers of electronic communications and broadcasting services to rise to their responsibilities and not to allow their platforms to be used in the promotion or advertising of such activities,” a Police statement said.

In order to tackle this menace, the Police Service noted that it has intensified its enforcement efforts across the country alongside education of all relevant stakeholders on the position of the law on the matter.

The Police also urged the public to be wary of charlatanic advertisements in both mainstream and social media and work together with the Police to ensure the safety and security of all persons to maintain law and order in the country.

Source: Ghana Police Service