The Ghana Police Service has cautioned the public to be wary of charlatanic advertisements in both mainstream and social media, that seeks to lure people into dubious activities with the hope of getting rich overnight.
It has also urged operators of electronic communication networks, providers of electronic communications and broadcasting services not to allow their platforms to be used in the promotion or advertising of such activities.
The caution comes after the police observed a worryingly increasing number of advertisements aimed at luring people into dubious activities that are claimed to generate riches overnight.
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In a statement, the Police complained that these charlatanic activities are assuming serious security implications on the society as a whole.
It stated that 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.
The Police said investigations have recently shown that the upsurge in such activities has contributed to serious crimes such as defrauding by false pretenses, kidnapping, and even murder.
It noted that 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.
“It is important to remind the public that charlatanic advertisements are not just unethical but criminal and punishable under the laws of Ghana,” the Police stated.
It added that, “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.”
Meanwhile, in order to tackle the menace, the Police Service stated 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.
“We would like to urge 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 as we work to maintain law and order in the country,” it warned.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori