GIS busts suspected cyber fraud ring, rescues 85 trafficking victims
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has rescued 85 suspected victims of human trafficking and arrested 17 foreign nationals believed to be involved in a cyber fraud operation during an intelligence-led raid in Dawhenya.
The operation, carried out by the GIS National Enforcement Team, targeted a property located opposite the China West Mall. The premises is reportedly owned by Oga Toyas, Chief Executive Officer of TOYAS Group Limited.
In a statement signed by Deputy Commissioner of Immigration Maud Anima Quainoo, the Service said the operation followed intelligence from residents who raised concerns about suspected criminal activities at the location.
Acting on the information, officers led by Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) Atubga Elijah stormed the premises and intercepted 102 West African nationals.
Preliminary investigations revealed that 85 individuals—comprising 79 men and six women—were victims of human trafficking and forced labour.
The remaining 17 people are suspected members of the cybercrime syndicate and were also found to be living in Ghana without legal documentation.
According to the GIS, officers discovered signs of severe physical abuse, particularly among the male victims, who were allegedly subjected to harsh treatment and kept in deplorable living conditions.
The six female victims and the 17 suspects, making a total of 23 people, are currently being held at the GIS Headquarters in Accra for questioning, profiling and further investigations.
Meanwhile, the 79 male victims have been relocated to a secure GIS holding facility as authorities work with relevant state agencies to facilitate their safe return to their home countries.
The Service noted that the alleged ringleaders of the operation were not present during the raid, adding that investigations are ongoing to apprehend those behind the suspected trafficking and cybercrime network.
The operation was conducted under the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694), which criminalises the recruitment, transportation, harbouring or exploitation of persons through force, deception, coercion or abuse of power. Convictions under the Act carry a minimum prison sentence of five years.
In a separate operation, the Ashaiman Sector Command of the GIS, acting on requests from the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly and the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), carried out an intelligence-led compliance exercise in the Tsina–Agbe area to address the involvement of foreign nationals in commercial sex work.
The operation led to the arrest of 93 Nigerian women, aged between 15 and 44, who are suspected to have been trafficked into Ghana for prostitution.
The women have since been transferred to a secure GIS holding facility while arrangements are being made to repatriate them to Nigeria in line with immigration laws.
The Ghana Immigration Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Ghana’s borders, combating irregular migration, dismantling transnational criminal networks and safeguarding victims of human trafficking.
It added that it will continue collaborating with national and international partners to enforce the law and strengthen public safety across the country.
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