Fake herbalist arrested in Ashanti Region

Police in the Ashanti Region have arrested a 25-year-old man, Emmanuel Boateng, for impersonating a certified herbal practitioner and using fake online platforms to defraud unsuspecting clients in Ghana and abroad.

Boateng is alleged to have posed as Bright Appiah, the chief executive of Nana Kofi Herbal, a well-known traditional medical facility based in Ntonsu. He reportedly used this false identity to trick victims into sending money under the guise of paying for herbal treatments.

According to police reports, Boateng manipulated video content originally published by Mr. Appiah by replacing the contact information with his own phone numbers. This digital deception misled many individuals seeking legitimate herbal care into reaching out to the imposter instead.

Following an intelligence-driven investigation, law enforcement officers tracked Boateng to his hideout in Amangoase, a community near Nsuta, where he was arrested.

Preliminary findings revealed that the suspect had successfully defrauded multiple victims, not only in Ghana but also in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The total number of victims and the sums involved are still being determined.

Police have launched a broader investigation and are urging the public to be vigilant when interacting with service providers online.

The arrest highlights growing concerns about online fraud and impersonation, especially within the health and wellness sector, where trust is critical.