Ghanatodayonline.com News, Politics, Health, Education & More
219 people have been detained by the Economic and Organised Crime Office(EOCO), the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigations Department(CID), and the Ghana Armed Forces for allegedly participating in cybercrime and human trafficking in the West African subregion.
An operation headed by intelligence that targeted criminal networks involved in internet fraud and trafficking resulted to the arrests.
Operation Rescue Shield, which was led by the EOCO, resulted in the arrest of 219 Nigerians and Ghanaians, ranging in age from 15 to 38. Two hundred and twelve boys, seven girls, and eleven children.
At a news conference on Thursday, April 17, Abdul Bashiru Dapilah, Acting Executive Director of EOCO, disclosed that the victims were forced to participate in cybercrime activities after being held captive and enticed with promises of lucrative jobs.
“The operation was successful, and 219 people were arrested at Isak estates in Oyarifa. The victims were lured into the country by the suspects ostensibly to give them lucrative jobs in Ghana.
“Unfortunately, when they came to Ghana, since there were no lucrative jobs existing then, they took them hostage and confined them at the Oyarifa estate and were forced to go into cybercrimes and cybercrime-related activities,” he explained.
He reaffirmed EOCO’s commitment to breaking up these criminal networks and emphasized the value of regional collaboration in the fight against such transnational crimes.
The suspects were found to have a number of laptops, personal belongings, internet access, and other goods. Both Ghanaians and Nigerians were among the victims.
Investigations into the trafficking team are currently underway, and screening is being done to distinguish the youngsters from the adults and the victims from the culprits.
“Regardless of the situation, we hope to finish the screening by tomorrow [April 18] and, assuming nothing unexpected comes up, arrange for the victims to be returned to Nigeria so they can be with their families,” he said.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
