Ghanaian national sentenced in US for identity fraud

Linford Atakora, a 29-year-old Ghanaian national, has been sentenced to approximately nine months in federal custody for misusing a relative’s Social Security number to secure employment in the United States.

According to court documents from the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota, Atakora used the identity, driver’s license, and Social Security information of an American citizen relative to obtain a position at Love & Care, Inc., a home health agency in Bismarck. By misrepresenting his identity and lack of work authorization, Atakora enabled the agency to falsely receive $51,435.63 in claims and benefits from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

U.S. District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland handed down the sentence, which accounts for time Atakora has already served in federal custody. In addition to the prison term, the court ordered his removal from the United States to Ghana.