Criminal gangs are increasingly targeting unsuspecting Ghanaians with bogus overseas employment offers and fake online romance schemes, senior law enforcement officials have cautioned.
The warning comes amid a sharp rise in human trafficking networks exploiting citizens’ aspirations to move abroad in search of better living conditions and well-paid jobs.
Detailing the operations of these illicit syndicates, Superintendent William Ayariga, Director of the Anti-Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, disclosed that fraudsters frequently masquerade as romantic partners, close friends, or trustworthy acquaintances residing overseas to gain the trust of their targets.
According to him, victims are often financially exploited long before departing the country, with syndicates demanding substantial sums under the guise of handling travel documentation, work permits, and recruitment processing.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, October 22, Superintendent Ayariga highlighted how perpetrators manipulate victims into paying money before diverting them to unexpected locations.
“Human trafficking as a crime is on the rise and a lot of people are falling victim. The perpetrators are using different models to lure unsuspecting Ghanaians into trafficking. They are using models such as romance scams and travel abroad scams.
“The travel abroad scams are on the increase. It is mostly carried out by friends and acquaintances. They will call and tell you that they are in Canada, the USA, Japan or France. They will tell you that the company they work with needs staff and so they will refer you to an agent and they will demand money.
“After paying the money, they are lured to other West African countries and all their documents are confiscated on arrival but we are working hard to stop it.”
The police chief assured the public that intelligence and operational efforts are currently underway to dismantle these syndicates, rescue stranded victims, and bring perpetrators to book. Members of the public have meanwhile been advised to thoroughly verify all foreign travel and employment arrangements with certified agencies before making any financial commitments.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
