Some of the rescued victims
A TOTAL of 110 foreign nationals, identified as both Cameroonians and Ivorians, are in the custody of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service after they were rescued through anti-human trafficking operation yesterday.
The foreign nationals, who are victims of a suspected Qnet scam operation at Kuntunse Satellite in the Greater Accra Region, were said to have been lured into the country with promises of lucrative employment opportunities. However, upon arrival, they were subjected to exploitative conditions under the guise of network marketing.
The early morning operation was conducted following weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering by the police. The victims have since been taken into protective custody as investigations continue to identify the perpetrators and dismantle the network behind the scheme.
According to police sources, initial findings indicate that the suspects used Qnet, a controversial online business platform, as a cover to recruit and exploit unsuspecting individuals from other West African countries.
The CID has assured the public of its commitment to intensifying the fight against human trafficking and transnational scam operations, urging citizens to be cautious of fraudulent job offers, especially those requiring upfront payments or recruitment through unverified agents. Authorities say efforts are underway to locate and arrest key members of the criminal syndicate believed to be operating across several regions.
It’s worth noting that Qnet has been accused of operating a pyramid scheme in various countries, including India, Ghana, and Indonesia, with allegations of misleading participants about the ease and returns of the business.
It would be recalled that some 76 Ghanaian victims of human trafficking linked to Qnet were rescued from Nigeria. Seven Ghanaian suspects were arrested in Nigeria, while two suspects from Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso were arrested in Ghana.
Director-General of the CID, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, addressing journalists about Qnet operations, revealed that the company has been using fraudulent recruitment schemes to lure victims into human trafficking.
According to COP Donkor, Qnet’s operations in Ghana were dissolved by an Accra High Court in July 2022 due to deceptive practices akin to a Ponzi scheme.
She stated that victims, including young men and women, are promised lucrative jobs, football contracts, or visa assistance, only to have their mobile phones and travel documents seized upon arrival in Nigeria. They are then forced to contact family members in Ghana to solicit money under pretenses.
COP Donkor emphasised that those involved in such criminal activities will be prosecuted under Ghana’s Anti-Human Trafficking Act and the Criminal Code. She urged the public to be cautious of job offers or travel opportunities that seem too good to be true, especially those requiring upfront payments or unverified arrangements.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke