The Police have warned the public against staging kidnappings and raising false alarms about their own kidnapping.

The caution comes after Beatrice Naa Lamley Kitson Mills, a mobile money vendor, was successfully prosecuted for faking her own kidnapping.

She has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment “to serve as a deterrent to others.”

“Like-minded persons are advised to take cues from this case and advise themselves or face the full rigors of the law,” a statement from the police said.

Beatrice Naa Lamley Kitson Mills has been sentenced to  12 months imprisonment 

The statement added that the police are working hard to eliminate the crime of kidnapping in Ghana.

Meanwhile, the three girls who were kidnapped in the Western Regional capital, Takoradi are yet to be found.

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Read the full statement below:

The Accra Regional Police Command wishes to caution the general public against false kidnap claims, a phenomenon which is becoming a threat to the light against the menace.

The caution has become imperative following Police successful prosecution and conviction of 19-year-old Beatrice Naa Lumley Kitson Mills (a mobile money vendor), for faking her kidnap claim.

The convict, on 24th June, 2019 conspired with three others to fake her kidnap in demand for Ten Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢ 10,000.00) ransom from her family.

Reports made to the James Town police and further investigations led to her arrest after two weeks in her hideout in Osu. Accra. She was duly arraigned before the Adjabeng District Court for prosecution.

Beatrice Naa Lumley Kitson Mills was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment after the court found her guilty of the offense of Publication of False news contrary to section 208 of the Criminal Offences Act 1960. (ACT 29) to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Police is by this statement cautioning the public against such malicious acts with the intention to demand undue financial claims or cause fear and alarm. Like-minded persons are advised to take cues from this case and advise themselves or face the full rigors of the law.

Notwithstanding, the Police continues to fight the menace unabated and admonish the general public not to relent in their support in the fight by being vigilant and report suspicious characters at all times.