EOCO rescues 219 foreign nationals lured to Ghana with fake job promises

The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in Ghana has arrested 35 individuals in a major crackdown on a suspected human trafficking syndicate believed to have exploited more than 200 people.

The victims—mostly young foreigners from vulnerable backgrounds—were allegedly lured into the country with promises of lucrative job offers, better living conditions and access to education. However, upon arrival, they were reportedly held in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at a property in Oyarifa, a suburb of Accra, and forced into online fraud activities.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, EOCO’s Acting Executive Director, Abdulai Bashiru Dapilah, said the operation led to the rescue of 219 people, who had been held at a residential estate and compelled to work under coercive conditions.

“They were brought into Ghana under the pretext of being offered lucrative jobs,” Dapilah said. “Unfortunately, there were no jobs. They were instead confined and forced into cybercrime and related activities.”

He added that EOCO retrieved several items from the location, including laptops, internet routers, food supplies, and personal belongings believed to be linked to the criminal operations.

A screening process has been launched to distinguish victims from perpetrators and to assess the involvement of both adults and juveniles in the alleged crimes.

“The essence of the screening is to separate victims from suspects and also identify the types of criminal activities they may have been involved in,” Mr Dapilah explained.

The Nigerian High Commission has since visited EOCO to interact with both suspects and victims and has urged full cooperation with investigators. Authorities say arrangements are being made to repatriate victims, particularly those from Nigeria, once the screening is complete.

One of the victims, a young man from Nigeria, told reporters he had been confined in Ghana for over a year.

“I came to Ghana because of the difficult situation back home,” he said. “I wasn’t told exactly what I would be doing. But after arriving, I realised my so-called boss was involved in fraud. We weren’t allowed to go outside. I’ve just been praying for an opportunity like this.”

EOCO says this operation is part of a broader effort to dismantle organised trafficking rings operating in the region. The agency, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Criminal Investigations Department (CID), is planning similar operations across the country.

“This is only the beginning,” Dapilah said. “EOCO and the CID are committed to working together to dismantle these criminal networks and protect vulnerable populations.”

Human trafficking remains a major concern in West Africa, where economic hardship and limited opportunities have made many young people vulnerable to exploitation.

Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand