News · Michael Teye Amartey

GOVERNMENT INTENSIFIES CRACKDOWN ON QNET RECRUITMENT SCAM.

The Government has intensified efforts to dismantle fraudulent recruitment and human trafficking syndicates operating across West Africa, particularly those linked to the QNET scam.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs , Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said investigations show that victims are lured with false promises of employment and overseas migration opportunities and made to pay as much as five thousand U S dollars before travelling. 

According to him, victims are often instructed to travel first to a neighbouring country where they are told visa arrangements will be completed.

Upon arrival, however, they are forced to surrender their passports, mobile phones and money, and are subjected to psychological manipulation and pressured to recruit relatives and friends into the scheme. 

The Minister disclosed this during a media briefing on recent consular developments and Ghana’s diplomatic engagements.

Mr Ablakwa said Ghana is strengthening collaboration with neighbouring countries, including Côte d’Ivoire’s Anti-Human Trafficking Agency and other security institutions, to dismantle the criminal networks.

He said since January this year, 61 Ghanaians have been rescued from various locations in Côte d’Ivoire, with 45 already repatriated, while another 315 Ghanaians were assisted to return home following enforcement operations.

The Minister added that Ghana has also facilitated the repatriation of citizens from Togo and Liberia who fell victim to similar recruitment scams and urged prospective migrants to verify all overseas job opportunities before travelling.