Police Arrest Suspected Serial Thief at Diaspora Summit – Life Pulse Daily

Introduction

Security at large-scale international gatherings is paramount, yet criminal elements often find ways to infiltrate these events. In a recent development highlighting the effectiveness of undercover policing, the Accra Central Division Police Command successfully apprehended a wanted criminal at the Diaspora Summit 2025. This operation not only prevented further crimes but also led to the recovery of significant evidence linking the suspect to multiple fraud cases.

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the arrest of Reagan Kwesi Egbi Addo, alias Morgan Addo. We will explore the tactics used by the suspect, the police operation, and the broader implications for event security and financial fraud prevention. For attendees and organizers of large conferences, this case serves as a critical study in vigilance and cybercrime awareness.

Key Points

Who: Reagan Kwesi Egbi Addo (alias Morgan Addo), a suspect on the police wanted list.
Where: Accra International Conference Centre, during the Diaspora Summit 2025.
When: December 19, 2025.
Modus Operandi: The suspect used an ATM card swapping scheme and targeted unattended luggage at conference venues.
Evidence: Police recovered 8 ATM cards belonging to different individuals during a search of the suspect’s residence in Ashale Botwe.
Public Safety Message: Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant and secure their personal belongings during public gatherings.

Background

The Diaspora Summit is a significant event designed to foster connections between Ghanaian expatriates and the local business community. As with any major international conference, the 2025 summit in Accra attracted a diverse crowd, creating a bustling environment that unfortunately presents opportunities for opportunistic crime.

The Rise of Conference Crime

Large conventions are often targeted by serial thieves because of the high volume of transactions and the distraction of attendees. Criminals exploit the chaos of registration desks, coffee breaks, and networking sessions to access unattended bags or manipulate financial transactions.

The Wanted List

Reagan Kwesi Egbi Addo was already a person of interest for the Accra Central Division Police prior to this event. His history of alleged theft offenses placed him on a watchlist, which triggered the undercover surveillance operation at the conference center. This background intelligence was crucial in identifying him amidst the crowd.

Analysis

The arrest of Morgan Addo reveals a sophisticated, albeit common, method of financial theft that targets the average citizen’s banking security. Understanding these methods is essential for prevention.

The ATM Card Swapping Scheme

According to Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Accra Regional Police Command, the suspect employed a specific psychological trick to steal bank cards. The process typically follows these steps:

Induced Confusion: The suspect allegedly manipulated situations at ATM locations to make transactions difficult for users (e.g., causing a machine to freeze or appear out of order).
The “Good Samaritan” Ploy: He would then approach the distressed victim under the pretext of offering assistance.
The Swap: During the interaction, he would swap the victim’s genuine ATM card with a similar, invalid card.
Theft: Once in possession of the victim’s card and likely observing their PIN entry, he would withdraw cash at various locations.

This method relies heavily on the victim’s momentary lapse in attention and their trust in a stranger offering help. It is a form of social engineering that bypasses technical security measures by exploiting human behavior.

Infiltration of the Diaspora Summit

The suspect did not rely solely on street-level ATM fraud. He also utilized the Diaspora Summit 2025 registration process to gain access to the venue. The event’s registration was conducted online and open to the public, allowing Addo to register legitimately and obtain a summit tag.

By wearing an official summit tag, he gained unrestricted access to the conference floor. This legitimacy allowed him to move freely and target attendees’ baggage and laptops, particularly during breaks when vigilance is often lowered. This highlights a vulnerability in event security: while registration validates identity to a degree, it does not screen for criminal history.

Practical Advice

Based on the details of this case, attendees at conferences, banks, and public events should adopt the following security best practices to avoid falling victim to similar schemes.

Protecting Your Financial Assets

Shield Your PIN: Always cover the keypad when entering your PIN at an ATM, regardless of who is around you.
Verify the Card: Immediately after a transaction, check that the card returned is yours. Criminals often rely on victims walking away with a dummy card.
Be Wary of “Helpers”: If an ATM malfunctions, do not accept help from strangers. Instead, cancel the transaction, retrieve your card, and move to a different machine or contact your bank directly.
Set Transaction Limits: Many banking apps allow you to set daily withdrawal and spending limits. This can minimize losses if your card is compromised.

Event and Travel Safety

Keep Bags in Sight: Never leave laptops, phones, or bags unattended at a conference, even for a few minutes. Use chair straps or keep the bag on your person.
Check Your Badge: Ensure your conference badge is not easily accessible to others who might misuse it for unauthorized access.
Report Suspicious Behavior: If you notice someone loitering near ATMs without transacting or someone who seems overly interested in your personal belongings, report it to security immediately.

FAQ

Q: What is the definition of a serial thief?
A: A serial thief is an individual who commits multiple theft offenses over a period of time, often using similar methods or targeting specific types of victims. In this case, the suspect is accused of repeated ATM fraud and theft from conference venues.

Q: How did the police identify Reagan Kwesi Egbi Addo?
A: The Accra Central Division Police had intelligence indicating he was a wanted person. They conducted an undercover operation at the Diaspora Summit where they identified and arrested him based on his presence and behavior at the venue.

Q: What should I do if I suspect my ATM card has been swapped?
A: Immediately contact your bank to block the card. Check your account for unauthorized transactions and file a report with the police, providing details of the location and time of the incident.

Q: Was the Diaspora Summit registration secure?
A: The registration was conducted online and was open to the public to encourage attendance. However, this openness allowed a suspect with criminal intent to register. This highlights the balance event organizers must strike between accessibility and security.

Q: What happened to the recovered ATM cards?
A: The police retained the eight recovered cards as exhibits. They are in the process of formally engaging the respective banks (GCB, ABSA, GT Bank, Fidelity) to locate and notify the rightful owners of the cards.

Conclusion

The arrest of Reagan Kwesi Egbi Addo at the Diaspora Summit 2025 is a victory for the Accra Police Command and a reminder of the persistent threat posed by serial criminals. While the police have effectively neutralized this specific threat, the case underscores the importance of personal vigilance.

Whether at an ATM or a high-profile international summit, the tactics of fraudsters remain consistent: they exploit distraction and trust. By adhering to the practical advice outlined above—shielding PINs, securing personal items, and verifying the identity of anyone offering assistance—attendees and the general public can significantly reduce their risk of becoming victims of financial fraud and theft.