Zimbabwe and Ghana warn citizens of fraudulent overseas job scams

Governments in Zimbabwe and Ghana have issued warnings to citizens regarding fraudulent overseas employment schemes that lead to human trafficking, exploitation, and forced labor.

In Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services warned job seekers that fake recruitment networks are promising attractive salaries only to end up recruiting individuals into foreign military conflicts. This follows reports of Zimbabweans traveling to Russia for civilian roles but being diverted into the war against Ukraine. Information Minister Zhemu Soda advised citizens to research agencies, request legally binding contracts, and report suspicious activity.

Similarly, the Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an advisory following a security raid in Lusaka, Zambia. The operation, conducted by Zambian authorities, targeted an organized cybercrime syndicate and resulted in the arrest of 79 suspects, including six Ghanaians. Investigations revealed that victims were lured with promises of online data-entry jobs, only to have their passports confiscated and be coerced into participating in illicit online scam networks.