A recent intelligence report has shed light on a disturbing trend where foreign fugitives are exploiting Ghana’s citizenship and residency systems to evade justice and perpetrate fraudulent activities. One notable case involves Indian national Niharika Handa, who allegedly fled India in 2021 to escape 14 non-bailable arrest warrants.
The Niharika Handa Case
Handa acquired Ghanaian citizenship in 2022, despite not meeting the mandatory seven-year continuous residency requirement. Investigations revealed that she falsified her date of birth on her Ghanaian passport and used her new status to secure visas to the UK, UAE, and Schengen countries. She then leveraged these connections to defraud several Ghanaian business executives, including Amar Deep Singh Hari, the chairman of IPMC and co-founder of Gold Crest Refinery.
Modus Operandi
Handa’s alleged activities include:
– Establishing a presence in elite enclaves: She hosted lavish events to cultivate powerful networks and partnered with reputable philanthropists and business leaders to mask her questionable past.
– Securing loans and attracting investors: Handa used her associations to pass bank checks, secure loans, and attract investors, before absconding when suspicions arose.
– Laundering money: She allegedly siphoned funds from joint ventures and lodged counterclaims against her business partners.
Ghana’s Vulnerability to Cybercrime
This case highlights Ghana’s vulnerability to cybercrime and online fraud. In recent months, several Ghanaians have been arrested and extradited to the US for their involvement in large-scale scams. Notable cases include:
– Isaac Kofi Oduro Boateng: Arrested in June 2025 for his alleged role in a $100 million online scam case, involving romance scams and business email compromises.
– Mona Faiz Montrage: Sentenced to one year and one day in US federal prison for her role in a $2 million romance scam.
– Emmanuel Quamey: Sentenced to four years in prison for laundering over $3.3 million from online scams targeting elderly victims.
Government Action
The Ghanaian government has taken steps to combat cybercrime, including a recent crackdown on online fraud syndicates that led to the arrest of 65 suspects, including 47 foreign nationals. The Cyber Security Authority and Ghana Police Service have intensified intelligence-led operations nationwide, focusing on international collaboration, victim protection, and prosecution of offenders.
As investigations continue into Handa’s case, authorities are left wondering how she was able to obtain the necessary police clearances, residency permits, and citizenship despite her questionable background. This case raises serious questions about Ghana’s citizenship and residency systems and their potential vulnerability to exploitation by foreign fugitives.