The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has arrested 17 foreign nationals suspected of operating a cyber fraud syndicate and rescued 85 victims of suspected human trafficking during an intelligence-led operation at Dawhenya in the Greater Accra Region.
The raid, carried out in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, targeted a facility opposite the China West Mall that authorities say was being used by the suspected criminal network.
The premises are reportedly owned by Oga Toyas, Chief Executive Officer of TOYAS Group Limited.
According to the GIS, officers from its National Enforcement Team intercepted 102 West African nationals after acting on information provided by residents about the group’s alleged criminal activities.
Preliminary investigations found that 79 males and six females were victims of human trafficking and forced labour, while the remaining 17 individuals are believed to be members of the alleged cyber fraud syndicate who were also residing illegally in Ghana.
Immigration officers said they discovered evidence of severe physical abuse, particularly involving male victims, who were allegedly subjected to force and kept in poor living conditions.
The GIS said the six female victims and the 17 suspects are being held at its headquarters in Accra for interrogation, profiling and further investigations.
The remaining 79 male victims have been transferred to a secure holding facility as the Service works with relevant state agencies to facilitate their safe return to their home countries.
Authorities said the alleged masterminds of the operation were absent during the raid.
“It is reported that the team met the absence of the main kingpins at the time of the operations. Investigations are ongoing to pick up the brains behind these nefarious activities,” the statement said.
The GIS said the operation was conducted under the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694), which criminalises trafficking-related offences and prescribes a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years upon conviction.
In a separate operation, the Ashaiman Sector Command detained 93 Nigerian women between the ages of 15 and 44 during an intelligence-led compliance exercise in the Tsina-Agbe area.
The operation followed requests from the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly and the Municipal Security Council over the alleged involvement of foreign nationals in prostitution.
The GIS said the women are being held at a secure facility pending arrangements for their repatriation to Nigeria in accordance with the law.
“The Ghana Immigration Service remains steadfast in its statutory mandate to safeguard Ghana’s borders, combat irregular migration, dismantle transnational criminal networks, and protect victims of human trafficking from exploitation,” the Service said.
Credit: Citinewsroom
