Ghanaian man jailed in USA for using relatives ID, documents to work

A Ghanaian man has been sentenced for fraudulently working under the name and social security number of a United States citizen.

Twenty-nine-year-old Linford Atakora, has been sentenced to approximately nine months in federal custody in the United States for fraudulently using a relative's identity and documents to secure employment.

Atakora was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Daniel L Hovland on a felony charge of misuse of a social security number, according to a statement issued by the US Attorney's Office for the District of North Dakota on October 20, 2026.

The court also ordered his removal from the United States and deportation to Ghana.

According to court documents, Atakora used the name, date of birth and social security number of a relative who is a United States citizen to obtain employment at Love & Care, Inc., a home health agency in Bismarck, North Dakota, in March 2024.

He presented his relative's driver's licence and social security card during the employment application process.

Atakora also fraudulently completed an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form W-4, employee's withholding certificate, and an employee information form to facilitate his employment.