Fake Vice Presidential Staffer Remanded Over Visa Fraud
Cape Coast court remands man posing as VP staffer in Canadian visa scam.
- Torto allegedly defrauded victims of GH¢5,325 and GH¢8,200.
- Police found passports and official documents at his Abura hideout.
- Suspect falsely claimed ties to Ghana Armed Forces, Vice President’s Office, and Canadian Embassy.
A Cape Coast Circuit Court has remanded Patrick Nii Torto into police custody for allegedly defrauding victims under the pretense of securing Canadian visas and work permits.
Torto reportedly scammed individuals out of GH¢5,325 and GH¢8,200, posing as a staffer in the Office of the Vice President of Ghana and a captain in the Ghana Armed Forces. Operating under the name Dr Patrick Nelson Ayittey, he also claimed links with the Canadian Embassy in Ghana, according to police reports.
The accused pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding by false pretences. Presiding Judge Madam Nana Aba Quiaba Nunoo remanded him into police custody to assist further investigations.
Torto was arrested at his Abura hideout after a complaint was filed at the Abura Police Station on 16 February 2026. Police investigations revealed that the fraud occurred between December 2025 and January 2026, and Torto had failed to refund victims despite repeated demands.
During a search of his residence, authorities seized around 10 Ghanaian passports and other personal documents, including school certificates, birth certificates, and Ghana Cards. Further checks confirmed that Torto was neither affiliated with the Ghana Armed Forces, the Vice President’s Office, nor the Canadian Embassy, and he does not hold a medical or doctoral degree.
Torto is scheduled to appear in court again on Tuesday, 3 March 2026.
