A 29-year-old Ghanaian, Linford Atakora, has been sentenced to approximately nine months in federal custody in the United States for fraudulently using a relative’s identity and Social Security number to secure employment. The court has also ordered his removal from the country to Ghana.
Atakora was sentenced by US District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland after being convicted of the felony offence of misusing a Social Security number. The sentence accounts for the time he has already spent in federal custody, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of North Dakota.
The sentencing was announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
How the Ghanaian used his relative’s identity
Court documents indicate that the incident occurred in March 2024, when Atakora applied for a job at Love & Care, Inc., a home health agency based in Bismarck, North Dakota.
During the application process, he reportedly presented the driver’s licence and Social Security card of a relative who is a US citizen.
He used the relative’s name, date of birth and Social Security number to establish his identity and obtain the job.
Atakora subsequently used the same information to complete employment documents and an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-4, which is used by employees to provide information for federal income tax withholding.
According to the US Attorney’s Office, Atakora did not possess a valid Social Security number and was not authorised to work in the United States.
Identity fraud linked to US$51,435 in claims
The case has also raised concerns about the financial implications of using false identity information to obtain employment.
According to the US Attorney’s Office, the misrepresentation resulted in Love & Care, Inc. falsely receiving ineligible units and claims totalling US$51,435.63 from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The agency’s claims were linked to the employment arrangement involving Atakora, according to the statement.
US Attorney warns against employment identity fraud
US Attorney for the District of North Dakota, Nicholas W. Chase, used the case to warn workers and employers against using another person’s identity or Social Security number to circumvent US employment and immigration requirements.
Chase stressed that working under another individual’s identity to bypass these requirements constitutes a federal crime.
He added that his office would continue collaborating with state and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute similar offences.
The investigation was conducted by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General, while Assistant US Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek handled the prosecution.
Court orders removal to Ghana
In addition to the sentence covering the time Atakora had already spent in federal custody, Judge Hovland ordered his removal from the United States to Ghana.
The case highlights the potential legal consequences of using another person’s identity to obtain employment when the individual lacks the required work authorisation.
It also serves as a reminder that providing false personal information on employment and tax documents can lead to federal criminal proceedings in the United States.
Atakora’s case adds to the legal challenges faced by individuals who attempt to bypass US employment requirements through identity misuse, underscoring the importance of complying with immigration and employment laws.
