Nana Anderson, a 37-year-old unemployed individual operating under various aliases including Anderson Nana Abeka, Essel Kofi Elvis, and Wilson Kojo Bismark, has been apprehended by the Greater Accra Regional Police Command for his involvement in a sophisticated car rental theft and fraud operation spanning multiple regions of Ghana. Anderson’s arrest occurred on April 5, 2025, at a hideout in Atasemanso, Kumasi, within the Ashanti Region. The police have identified an accomplice, Gideon Baah, also known as Nana, who remains at large and is currently the subject of an ongoing manhunt. The arrest follows a series of fraudulent vehicle rentals orchestrated by Anderson and his accomplice.
The investigation, led by the Greater Accra Regional Police Command, was initiated following a complaint regarding the fraudulent rental of a Hyundai Elantra with registration number GT 114-25. On March 25, 2025, Anderson approached a car rental partner of the complainant in Community 25, Tema, posing as a legitimate customer. He presented forged ECOWAS identity and driver’s license cards bearing different names but displaying his photograph, successfully deceiving the rental agent into releasing the vehicle. After obtaining the Hyundai Elantra, Anderson vanished, failing to return the vehicle as agreed and subsequently disabling its tracking system to evade detection.
The investigation expanded beyond the initial complaint after authorities discovered a pattern of similar fraudulent activities linked to Anderson. Further inquiries revealed that Anderson operated within a larger syndicate engaged in stealing vehicles across the Greater Accra Region. Between January and March 2025, this syndicate successfully targeted several vehicles, including a Kia Forte in Hatso, a Honda Civic in Amasaman, and a Kia Ultima in Spintex, all using methods similar to the Hyundai Elantra theft. It was further uncovered that Anderson received a payment of GH¢4,000 for each vehicle successfully stolen and delivered to the syndicate.
Following his arrest, Anderson confessed to his involvement in the crimes and cooperated with the police, leading them to a suspected residence of his accomplice, Gideon Baah, located in Millennium City near Kasoa. Despite this lead, Baah was not found at the location, and efforts to apprehend him are ongoing. The police believe Baah plays a significant role in the operation and are actively pursuing all leads to locate and arrest him. The information provided by Anderson is a crucial development in dismantling the wider criminal network.
Anderson’s fraudulent scheme involved the deliberate use of forged identification documents, including ECOWAS identity cards and driver’s licenses, which he presented to car rental agencies to create a false sense of legitimacy. The varied aliases he employed further facilitated his deceptive practices and allowed him to operate undetected for a period of time. The syndicate’s modus operandi involved targeting various car rental agencies within the Greater Accra Region, exploiting the trust placed in these businesses by customers. The disabling of the tracking systems in the stolen vehicles demonstrates a level of technical sophistication and premeditation in their criminal activities.
The Greater Accra Regional Police Command remains committed to apprehending all individuals involved in this car theft ring and dismantling the criminal enterprise. The arrest of Nana Anderson is a significant step towards bringing those responsible for these crimes to justice. The police are also working to recover the stolen vehicles and return them to their rightful owners. The investigation continues, and the police are appealing to the public for any information that may lead to the arrest of Gideon Baah and other potential members of the syndicate. The public’s cooperation is crucial in ensuring the safety and security of the community and preventing further instances of vehicle theft.
