The Ghana Police Service has cautioned Ghanaians seeking opportunities abroad to be wary of human traffickers who use fake job offers, fraudulent recruitment agents and romantic relationships to lure unsuspecting victims.
Superintendent William Ayaregah of the Ghana Police Service said properly verifying recruitment agents and employment opportunities could prevent people from falling victim to trafficking.
He said traffickers increasingly use attractive offers, including promises of well-paying jobs abroad, to target people searching for better opportunities.
According to the Police, some trafficking schemes begin online, where perpetrators contact potential victims and convince them to travel before exploiting them through forced labour, sexual exploitation or other means.
Superintendent Ayaregah also identified romance scams as another method used by traffickers.
He explained that perpetrators may establish romantic relationships with individuals, gain their trust and eventually persuade them to travel to another location, where they could be subjected to exploitation.
The Police have also raised concerns about trafficking linked to surrogacy.
Superintendent Ayaregah said some women are allegedly trafficked under arrangements that require them to become pregnant, only for their babies to be taken away after delivery.
The Police Service is therefore urging Ghanaians to thoroughly verify recruitment agencies, job offers and travel arrangements before accepting opportunities abroad.
The public is also being advised to exercise caution when responding to offers received through social media and other online platforms, particularly those that appear too good to be true or require individuals to travel without adequate documentation or information.
Superintendent Ayaregah further urged trafficking victims and anyone with information about suspected trafficking activities to report them to the appropriate authorities.
He stressed that people should not remain silent when they encounter suspected cases of human trafficking, as timely reporting could help the authorities intervene and protect potential victims.
By Elizabeth Naa Darkuah Dodoo
