Ghanaian Police Rescue 76 Victims of Football Job Scam in Nigeria

In a coordinated operation with Interpol and Nigerian law enforcement, 76 Ghanaians were freed after being lured with false promises of lucrative football contracts.

The Ghanaian police have reported the rescue of 76 individuals who were trafficked under the pretense of securing football academy placements abroad. These young men were promised contracts with elite foreign football teams, job opportunities, and assistance with visa processing. However, upon arriving in Nigeria, their travel documents and mobile devices were confiscated, and they were confined to overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions, according to officials.

The victims were coerced into contacting their families to raise approximately $1,000 (about £727) under the guise of paying for unauthorized training or facilitation fees. Disturbingly, the scammers also exploited the victims' contact lists, deceiving their friends and family members. Law enforcement has detained seven suspects connected to this trafficking network.

Lydia Yaako Donkor, head of Ghana's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), disclosed these findings during a press conference, emphasizing the collaboration with Interpol and Nigerian authorities to carry out the operation. The rescues took place between May 19 and June 27 of this year, and arrangements for the victims' repatriation to Ghana are currently underway.

Ms. Donkor urged families to exercise caution when considering job offers and educational opportunities abroad, stressing the severity of the situation. Victims often travel to unfamiliar regions, only to be relocated to so-called "holding camps" where they live in distressing conditions. Many are pressured to recruit others into these schemes, perpetuating the cycle of victimization.

The CID chief noted the significant psychological and economic damage inflicted upon the victims and their loved ones, with many experiencing severe malnourishment and mental distress. This scam is linked to QNET, a global wellness marketing entity that has been prohibited from operating in Ghana since 2022 due to its alleged connection with a Ponzi scheme. QNET has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Such incidents of deceit involving false job offers are increasingly common in both Ghana and Nigeria, prompting ongoing efforts by authorities to track down all individuals responsible for this fraudulent operation.