The Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) has rescued forty-seven (47) victims in a two-day intelligence-led operation in Ho, the Volta Regional capital, following revelations that they were lured with false promises of travel and employment opportunities in Europe and North America.
The victims, made up of men and women from the Ashanti, Bono, and Bono East regions, were allegedly deceived by an underground fraudulent travel network operating under the name QNET. They were promised lucrative job opportunities in countries including Canada, the United States of America (USA), Germany, and the United Kingdom (UK).
According to information gathered by The Chronicle from both Accra and Ho, the PID headquarters in Accra infiltrated the group and received credible intelligence indicating that several unsuspecting victims were being held against their will in Ho after paying large sums of money.
Sources disclosed that after collecting money from the victims, the syndicate seized their passports under the pretext of securing travel visas. The victims were then camped at various locations and allegedly forced, under duress, to communicate with relatives and friends outside, claiming that all was well to lure more people into the scam.
Acting on the intelligence, a PID team from Accra, led by Detective Chief Inspector Martin Amoanor, teamed up with officers in Ho under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Alexander Adade Yeboah to dismantle the network.
The first phase of the operation was carried out on Thursday, January 8, 2026, when officers stormed a house at Somey Junction in Ho, rescuing eleven (11) victims, including both men and women.
The second phase followed two days later, on Saturday, January 10, 2026. At about 09:00 hours GMT, the PID team raided the QNET offices located at Fiave Dablah Ayekple Street, where suspects Emmanuel Asiamah (30), Frimpong Jerry (23), and Paul Mensah (26) were arrested. Several victims were also freed from what police described as conditions of “bondage.”
Further investigations led officers to another location at Ho Zion Down, where an additional seven (7) victims were rescued. Two more suspects, Bismark Perry (26) and Vida Getah (26), were arrested during the operation.
In total, seven (7) suspected members of the syndicate are currently in police custody, assisting investigations as efforts continue to dismantle the network fully.
The police have since reunited the rescued victims with their families and have cautioned the public to be vigilant and avoid falling victim to travel and employment scams promising quick routes to Europe and North America.
Investigations are ongoing.
By paqmediagh/Peter Quao Adattor
