76 Ghanaians Rescued from Football Trafficking Scheme in Nigeria

Ghanaian police report the successful rescue of 76 individuals coerced into a football job scam in Nigeria, where they faced exploitation and extortion. The case underscores ongoing concerns regarding human trafficking and fraudulent schemes targeting vulnerable populations.

In a significant operation, 76 Ghanaians who were trafficked to Nigeria under a fraudulent football recruitment scheme have been rescued, as confirmed by Ghanaian law enforcement. The victims, primarily young men, were deceived with opportunities that promised lucrative contracts with international football teams, job placements, and assistance with visa applications.

Upon their arrival in Nigeria, the victims had their travel documents and phones confiscated. They were then confined to overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions, according to police reports. Under duress, individuals were forced to contact family members, soliciting up to $1,000 (£727) purportedly for training fees. Furthermore, traffickers reportedly exploited these victims' phone contacts to perpetrate additional scams, affecting unsuspecting friends and relatives.

Seven suspects, all Ghanaian, have since been taken into custody for their involvement in this trafficking ring. Lydia Yaako Donkor, the head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Ghana, revealed during a press briefing that the successful rescue operation was executed in conjunction with Interpol and Nigerian authorities. The rescues occurred across various Nigerian states between May 19 and June 27 of this year, with plans for repatriating the victims back to their families in Ghana still unfolding.

Donkor emphasized the importance of verifying job offers and educational prospects abroad, especially those that appear too good to be true. She stated that potential victims are often misled into traveling by road to unfamiliar territories, later relegated to "holding camps" where up to 40 people may share inadequate living arrangements. Under pressure, these individuals sometimes resort to duping their own family members into becoming unwitting accomplices in the scammers' operations.

Additionally, she highlighted the severe psychological and economic ramifications inflicted upon victims and their families, noting that many return from such experiences unable to fully reintegrate into their previous life due to trauma and malnutrition.

The case has brought renewed scrutiny to QNET, a global marketing company linked to the recruitment scheme. The company has faced scrutiny in Ghana since 2022 when it was banned for allegedly operating a Ponzi scheme, although it has consistently denied any involvement in fraudulent activities.

This incident underscores the pervasive issue of human trafficking and exploitation under the facade of legitimate job offerings, a challenge not only in Ghana but also across the larger West African region. Law enforcement agencies are continuing their efforts to identify and apprehend all individuals responsible for these scams.