Kwabena Kissi, a 40-year-old former security guard, used his old G4S uniform to deceive Santander staff in Brixton, making off with £117,200 in cash. The crime occurred in broad daylight at the bank's Brixton branch, where Kissi was buzzed into the secure back room after staff recognized his uniform.
How the Theft Unfolded
Kissi, who worked for G4S between 2019 and 2020, never returned his uniform after leaving the job. On the day of the offence, he walked into the Santander branch and staff noted he was “a little early,” but Kissi explained he was on a new route. According to prosecutors, Kissi “did what any custodian from G4S would have done, he collected bags, put them in a briefcase, and took them out.” The vault manager, Otis Williams, had prepared £256,000 in 11 bags for collection. Kissi took £117,200 of that amount.
Discovery and Escape
The fraud was uncovered only when the real G4S driver arrived later, prompting staff to realize they had been swindled. After the heist, Kissi changed into his own clothes, donning a bucket hat, and booked an Uber using his own name and phone number. He fled to Ghana the following day and remained a wanted man for four years.
Arrest and Conviction
Kissi was arrested in March 2026 upon returning to the UK, after police kept tabs on him. Detective Constable Stuart Ponder, who led the Met’s investigation, said: “We identified Kissi as our suspect thanks to extensive CCTV enquiries and phone evidence that linked him to the minicab he used as his getaway vehicle. When we found that he had left the UK the day after the fraud, we feared he might never come back to face justice. We kept our eyes on him and officers were at the airport to arrest Kissi off the plane when he returned earlier this year. When they searched him, he still had the same phone he’d been using when he committed his heist in 2022.” Kissi admitted fraud by false representation, specifically by showing cashiers false ID to collect the cash.
Impact and Justice
Detective Constable Ponder added: “This case demonstrates the Met’s commitment to tackling high-value thefts and securing justice - no matter how long it takes.” Kissi’s use of his own identity to book the Uber ultimately led to his capture, highlighting the importance of forensic evidence in solving crimes.
