The Ghana Police Service has issued a stark warning to motorists: vehicles caught with fake Dealer Vehicle (DV) plates will be impounded immediately, regardless of whether the owner claims ignorance.
The warning comes as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) intensifies a major crackdown on a sophisticated criminal network believed to have flooded the country’s roads with more than 30,000 counterfeit DV plates.
At a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, Chief Superintendent Alexander Kweku Obeng announced that police officers have been deployed on major roads nationwide with the authority to conduct spot checks. “Any plate confirmed to be fake will result in the vehicle being treated as unregistered under the law and impounded at the nearest police station,” he stated, citing Section 38 of the Road Traffic Act, 2004 (Act 683).
While acknowledging the exercise may cause delays, Chief Superintendent Obeng emphasized that the law provides no room for leniency, and offenders will face multiple criminal charges.
A Multi-Million-Cedi Fraud Network
The DVLA’s investigation, conducted over the past two weeks in collaboration with National Security, has uncovered a staggering scale of fraud. Authorities estimate that over 30,000 counterfeit plates are currently in circulation, representing a significant blow to state revenue.
Based on the official plate cost of GH¢417.25, the street value of the fake plates exceeds GH¢12.51 million. However, the DVLA believes the illegal trade is costing the state approximately GH¢20 million annually in lost revenue.
Foster Akwasi Asante, the Deputy Chief Executive in charge of Services at the DVLA, detailed the operation’s structure during the briefing. He revealed that the plates were produced at a secret location and funneled through a distribution hub at La Paz in Accra. From there, consignments were shipped to regional centers in Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale.
Evidence presented included distribution records showing that nearly 300 plates (DV C4353 to DV 4673) were dispatched from the La Paz facility on a single day—February 23, 2026.
Fake Documents and Forged Insurance
The criminal network did not stop at plates. Mr. Asante disclosed that they also supplied a full suite of forged documentation to make the vehicles appear legitimate. This includes counterfeit motor insurance certificates, roadworthy certificates, and fake Form D and Form E logbooks—all allegedly produced at the same location.
Julius Neequaye Kotey, the Chief Executive of the DVLA, warned the public about the grave danger this poses. “In the event of an accident, victims may find that the supposed insurance cover is fraudulent, leaving them without protection or compensation,” he cautioned, noting that some of the seized insurance certificates lacked the signature of any licensed broker.
How to Spot a Fake
To help the public and law enforcement, Mr. Asante outlined key differences between genuine and counterfeit plates.
· Material: Authentic DVLA plates are made from “Alucore,” a material with a non-reflective, matte surface.
· The Ghana Flag: On genuine plates, the flag is embedded during production. On fakes, it is usually a surface sticker.
· Reflectivity: “The ones with a shining background are fake plates,” Mr. Asante stated flatly.
He added that genuine plates contain other undisclosed security features, which the authority is keeping confidential for operational reasons.
Arrests and Manhunt
So far, five suspects have been arrested and remanded in custody following raids in La Paz, Kumasi, and Takoradi. They are expected to reappear in court on March 17, 2026.
Among those in custody is a man who identified himself as an okada rider, claiming he was hired as a distributor to transport packaged plates from La Paz to Kaneshie for regional delivery. A woman identified as Vivian, believed to be the main contact in Tamale, was also arrested with a quantity of fake plates and forged documents.
Mr. Asante confirmed that two other suspects believed to be kingpins in the network are still at large. The DVLA and National Security are preparing to apply to the courts to have them declared wanted persons, after which their photographs will be published, and a reward will be announced for information leading to their arrest.
The DVLA has advised all authorized users of DV plates—including motor traders, mechanics, and fleet owners—to obtain them exclusively from DVLA offices at the approved cost of GH¢417.25. The public is urged to report any suspicious vehicles to the nearest DVLA office or police station.
