The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), with support from QNET and other stakeholders, has facilitated the repatriation of 33 Burkinabe nationals who were rescued during an anti-trafficking operation in Ghana.
The nationals were among 44 foreign nationals rescued and arrested during an operation conducted by EOCO on July 21, 2026. The operation was linked to a suspected travel scam syndicate and followed a regional law-enforcement workshop organised by EOCO, INTERPOL and QNET.
The workshop focused on strengthening the ability of law-enforcement officers across West and Central Africa to identify and investigate emerging forms of transnational organised crime, including human trafficking, migrant smuggling, digital fraud and deceptive recruitment schemes.
The 44 foreign nationals involved in the operation included 34 Burkinabe nationals, eight Ivorian nationals, one Malian national and one Nigerian national.
Following preliminary screening carried out in collaboration with the relevant diplomatic missions, 33 of the Burkinabe nationals were repatriated on August 13, 2026.
They were subsequently handed over to INTERPOL Burkina Faso at the Paga Border Post on August 14.
The development forms part of broader efforts by Ghanaian authorities and their international partners to tackle criminal networks that allegedly exploit vulnerable people through fraudulent recruitment, travel arrangements and other deceptive schemes.
QNET said its involvement was also aimed at helping authorities address criminal activities involving the misuse of its name.
According to the company, some criminal networks allegedly use legitimate company names to create fraudulent employment, travel and business opportunities in order to deceive members of the public.
EOCO welcomed the cooperation between law-enforcement agencies, the private sector and international partners, saying such collaboration is important in identifying and disrupting organised criminal networks.
The agency also acknowledged the support provided by QNET, INTERPOL and other stakeholders during the operation and the subsequent repatriation process.
QNET’s Regional General Manager for Central and West Africa, Cherif Sarr, stressed the need for companies to take action when their brands are misused by criminal networks.
He said such activities can damage public trust while potentially putting vulnerable people at risk. He added that QNET would continue sharing information with authorities, supporting investigations and helping members of the public verify legitimate opportunities associated with the company.
As part of its efforts to strengthen verification mechanisms, QNET has established a Compliance Office in Accra where authorities and media organisations can seek clarification concerning suspected misuse of the company’s name.
The company has also urged members of the public to be cautious when approached with offers that promise employment, travel opportunities or other benefits while claiming to represent QNET.
The repatriation of the 33 Burkinabe nationals highlights the importance of cooperation among national law-enforcement agencies, international organisations, diplomatic missions and private-sector institutions in combating human trafficking and organised fraud.
EOCO and its partners are expected to continue strengthening information-sharing and joint operations to protect vulnerable individuals and disrupt networks involved in deceptive recruitment and related criminal activities.
Source: Thepressradio.com
