ACCRA, Ghana – In a major operation, Ghanaian police have dismantled a human trafficking ring and rescued 57 Nigerian nationals who were being forced to conduct online romance scams.
Authorities announced the successful raid in the capital city of Accra, which also led to the arrest of five suspects believed to be the masterminds behind the criminal operation.
According to a police statement, the victims, all between the ages of 18 and 26, were lured to Ghana under the false pretense of legitimate job opportunities. Once in the country, they were coerced into defrauding people through online romance scams, a scheme where criminals build emotional relationships with victims to extort money.
The police operation yielded a significant haul of evidence, including 77 laptops, 38 mobile phones, two vehicles, three television sets, and various other internet-enabled devices. These items are believed to have been used by the syndicate to carry out their cybercriminal activities.
The rescued Nigerians are now receiving care and support as authorities work with relevant agencies, including Nigeria’s National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), on the next steps for their safe return and rehabilitation.
The five arrested suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be charged with human trafficking and cybercrime-related offenses. The investigation is ongoing as police work to uncover the full extent of the syndicate’s operations.
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