Ghanaian police have confirmed the rescue of 76 individuals who were trafficked to Nigeria under the guise of promising football career opportunities. Authorities are urging vigilance against similar scams.
Nigerian Authorities Rescue Trafficked Ghanaians from Football Scam
Nigerian Authorities Rescue Trafficked Ghanaians from Football Scam
76 young Ghanaians promised football opportunities are freed from a trafficking scheme in Nigeria.
In an alarming development, a total of 76 young Ghanaians lured by a fraudulent recruitment scheme have been rescued in Nigeria, according to reports from Ghanaian law enforcement. The victims, predominantly young men, were misled with enticing offers of contracts with prestigious foreign football clubs and guarantees of job placements abroad, alongside visa assistance.
Upon their arrival in Nigeria, the victims had their travel documents and mobile phones confiscated, leaving them vulnerable and trapped. They were accommodated in crowded, deplorable living conditions. Authorities revealed that the victims were coerced into contacting their families for financial help, typically around $1,000 (£727), under the pretense of covering training or facilitation expenses. The perpetrators also exploited the victims' contact lists to further defraud their friends and relatives.
In connection with these trafficking activities, seven suspects from Ghana have been arrested. Lydia Yaako Donkor, the head of Ghana's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), disclosed that the rescue operation was executed in collaboration with Interpol and Nigerian law enforcement.
The rescue, which occurred across various Nigerian states between 19 May and 27 June, has led to a call for families to carefully verify lucrative job offers and educational opportunities abroad before acceptance. Donkor noted that once misled into the scam, victims often travel by road to unknown territories, where they are taken to "holding camps"—rented rooms that often house up to 40 people, all living under horrific conditions.
The psychological toll and economic damage inflicted on these victims and their relatives is concerning, with many reportedly "malnourished and psychologically disturbed" which hinders their reintegration into daily life.
One organization that has faced scrutiny is QNET, a global lifestyle and wellness marketing firm linked to the scam. QNET has faced a ban in Ghana since 2022 linked to its alleged Ponzi scheme operations, though it continues to deny any involvement in fraudulent practices.
The worrying trend of individuals being drawn into scams promising false employment opportunities and enduring internet fraud schemes prevails in both Ghana and Nigeria, prompting police to intensify efforts in apprehending all individuals involved in these trafficking operations.
