- A 29-year-old Ghanaian national, Linford Atakora, has been sentenced to approximately nine months in federal custody in the United States for misusing a relative’s Social Security number to obtain employment
- Atakora used the relative’s identity documents to apply for a job at a home health agency in Bismarck, North Dakota, despite lacking work authorisation
- The court also ordered his removal to Ghana following the conclusion of the proceedings. The case involved claims totalling US$51,435.63 (approximately KSh 6.7 million) that the agency incorrectly received
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A 29-year-old Ghanaian national, Linford Atakora, has been sentenced in the United States after fraudulently using an American relative’s identity to secure a job he was not legally authorized to hold.
Source: Getty Images
US District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland sentenced Atakora on a felony charge of misusing a Social Security number. The sentence amounts to approximately nine months in federal custody, including time he had already spent in detention.
The court also ordered his removal from the United States to Ghana following the conclusion of the proceedings.
How Atakora Used His Relative’s Identity
According to court documents released by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota, the offence occurred in March 2024.
Atakora applied for a position at Love & Care Inc., a home health agency based in Bismarck, North Dakota. During the application process, he presented his relative’s driver’s licence and Social Security card.
He used the individual’s name, date of birth and Social Security number as though they were his own.
Atakora also completed an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-4 and an employee information form using the same borrowed details.
Court documents established that he did not have a valid Social Security number and was not authorised to work in the United States.
Identity Fraud Led to More Than US$51,000 in Improper Claims
The consequences of the deception extended beyond Atakora’s employment application.
According to the court documents, Love & Care Inc. incorrectly received ineligible units and claims worth US$51,435.63 (approximately KSh 6.7 million) from the US Department of Health and Human Services as a result of the false employment records.
The case highlighted how the misuse of another person’s identity can have financial consequences for employers and affect claims involving government funds as reported by YEN News.
US Attorney Warns Workers and Employers
US Attorney Nicholas W. Chase announced the sentencing and used the case to warn workers and employers in North Dakota against using another person’s identity to bypass immigration-related employment requirements.
"This case serves as an important reminder to North Dakota workers and employers that working under another person's identity or Social Security number to circumvent immigration work requirements is a federal crime," Chase said.
He added that his office would continue working with state and federal law enforcement agencies to pursue similar cases.
The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General. Assistant US Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek prosecuted the case.
US Steps Up Efforts to Combat Fraud
The prosecution forms part of wider efforts by the US Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute fraud involving public funds.
In April, the department launched the National Fraud Enforcement Division to pursue individuals accused of defrauding the American public. The initiative supports a government-wide task force chaired by US Vice President JD Vance.
Atakora’s case illustrates the legal consequences of using another person’s identity to obtain employment in the United States, particularly when the conduct involves fraudulent records and government-related claims.
Nigerian fraud suspect arrested by Interpol at airport
TUKO.co.ke reported that Nigerian businessman Lawrence Olanrewaju Folawunmi was arrested by Interpol at an airport in Nigeria as the United States sought his extradition over alleged fraud.
US authorities accused him of involvement in an email compromise scheme that allegedly caused a company to transfer about KSh 161 million after its payment details were changed.
He was wanted to face charges including wire fraud and aiding and abetting criminal activity.
Source: TUKO.co.ke