Home / Crime and Justice / Ex-Guard's Uniform Scam Nets £117K
Ex-Guard's Uniform Scam Nets £117K
4 Jul
Summary
- Former guard used old uniform to trick bank staff.
- Stolen cash amounted to £117,200 from a London branch.
- Guard fled to Ghana the day after the incident.
Kwabena Kissi, a 40-year-old former G4S security guard, received a 40-month prison sentence for defrauding a Santander branch in London. In July 2022, Kissi entered the Brixton branch disguised in his old G4S uniform, helmet, and mask. He successfully convinced staff he was there for a cash collection, leaving with £117,200.
The bank employees realized they had been tricked only after Kissi failed to return for a second pickup and the genuine G4S custodian arrived. Kissi, who had retained his uniform after leaving G4S, used his familiarity with the collection routine to gain access to a secure area. He claimed to be on a new route when questioned about his early arrival.
Investigators linked Kissi to the crime through an Uber booking made under his own name and phone number shortly after the theft. He subsequently fled to Accra, Ghana, the day after the incident, where he resided for nearly four years. Kissi was arrested in March 2026 upon his return to the UK.
During sentencing, the judge noted Kissi's exploitation of inside knowledge and the impact on bank staff. The court heard that Kissi admitted to fraud by false representation. This incident highlights the need for businesses to implement robust verification procedures beyond uniforms or confident explanations.
