The Director of the Anti-Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent William Ayariga, has warned that criminals are increasingly using fake travel opportunities and romance scams to lure unsuspecting Ghanaians into human trafficking networks.
Superintendent Ayariga said perpetrators often exploit the desire of many Ghanaians to travel abroad for better employment opportunities and improved living conditions, using false promises of jobs and relationships to gain their victims’ trust.
He said some traffickers pose as friends, acquaintances or romantic partners living abroad, convincing their targets that they can facilitate travel arrangements or secure employment opportunities in foreign countries.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Thursday, October 22, Superintendent Ayariga explained that the financial exploitation often begins before victims leave Ghana, as perpetrators demand payments under the pretext of processing travel documents, securing employment or arranging overseas opportunities.
“Human trafficking as a crime is on the rise and a lot of people are falling victim. The perpetrators are using different models to lure unsuspecting Ghanaians into trafficking. They are using models such as romance scams and travel abroad scams.
“The travel abroad scams are on the increase. It is mostly carried out by friends and acquaintances. They will call and tell you that they are in Canada, the USA, Japan or France. They will tell you that the company they work with needs staff and so they will refer you to an agent and they will demand money.
“After paying the money, they are lured to other West African countries and all their documents are confiscated on arrival but we are working hard to stop it.”
Source: citinewroom
Related Posts
