Ghana Police Rescue 57 Nigerians Trafficked for Online Romance Scams

Ghanaian police rescued 57 Nigerians forced into online romance scams after being trafficked to Accra. Five suspects were arrested, and several laptops, phones, and vehicles were seized. The victims, aged 18 to 26, were lured with fake job offers and are now receiving care. The operation is part of wider efforts by Ghana and Interpol to curb cybercrime and human trafficking in Africa.

Police in Ghana have rescued 57 Nigerians who were trafficked into the country and arrested five suspects believed to be operating a cybercrime and human trafficking ring, the country’s authorities confirmed on Thursday. The dramatic rescue operation followed an intelligence-led raid on a building located in a suburb of Accra, the nation’s capital. Inside, officers discovered dozens of young men and women, all Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 26, who had allegedly been lured to Ghana under false pretenses and were being forced to carry out online romance scams.

According to a detailed statement released by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the victims were kept under strict supervision and made to work long hours on computers and phones, impersonating others online to deceive unsuspecting victims, often for financial gain. When the police entered the building, they found rows of laptops and mobile phones being used to operate fake online identities on dating and social networking platforms. In total, 77 laptops, 38 mobile phones, two vehicles, three television sets, and other internet-enabled devices were confiscated from the premises.

Investigators say the suspects behind the operation used enticing offers of well-paying jobs and better living conditions to lure their victims from Nigeria to Ghana. Once the victims arrived, their passports were seized, and they were coerced into engaging in fraudulent online schemes. Many were reportedly threatened with physical harm if they refused to cooperate or tried to escape. The CID emphasized that the victims were manipulated psychologically, made to believe they had no choice but to participate in the crimes, and subjected to continuous monitoring by their handlers.

A statement from the Ghana Police Service explained that “upon arrival, the victims, aged between 18 and 26 years, were coerced into engaging in online romance scams and other heinous activities.” The statement added that all the rescued individuals were receiving necessary medical care, counseling, and temporary shelter through government and partner organizations specializing in victim rehabilitation. Authorities, however, did not disclose the exact timeline for their repatriation to Nigeria, noting that the process would depend on coordination with Nigerian authorities and international agencies.

Ghana’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the agency responsible for implementing and enforcing human trafficking laws, highlighted that this rescue operation reflects the country’s strengthened efforts to curb human trafficking and related crimes. In a report released earlier this year, the ministry revealed that between 2023 and 2024, there were 79 prosecutions and 54 convictions for human trafficking offences, underscoring the government’s growing commitment to tackling the problem through both law enforcement and victim support initiatives.

The latest development in Ghana comes shortly after Interpol announced a major crackdown on cybercrime networks across Africa. The operation, which spanned 14 countries, resulted in the arrest of 260 suspects allegedly involved in online romance and extortion scams. Interpol’s findings revealed that more than 1,400 victims had been targeted in the schemes, collectively losing almost $2.8 million to fraudsters who often posed as romantic partners or business associates to gain their trust before extorting money.

As part of that continent-wide operation, Ghanaian authorities also arrested 68 suspects accused of participating in online romance scams. Investigators said those arrested used fake identities and manipulated their victims into paying non-existent shipment fees and other fabricated expenses. The coordinated response between Interpol and national law enforcement agencies highlights the growing transnational nature of cybercrime and the need for stronger cross-border collaboration to combat such criminal enterprises.

Officials in Ghana have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation and holding traffickers accountable. They urged the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent job offers and deceptive online recruitment messages, emphasizing that human trafficking and cyber fraud not only destroy lives but also tarnish the country’s international reputation.