Scam Alert: Nigerians Targeted By Fake Job Offers In Ghana, Ivory Coast, And Beyond, Warns NAPTIP

Scam Alert: Nigerians Targeted By Fake Job Offers In Ghana, Ivory Coast, And Beyond, Warns NAPTIP

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has uncovered a disturbing trend in human trafficking, with traffickers now resorting to fake job offers in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and other West African countries to lure Nigerians out of the country.

Speaking at NAPTIP’s Headquarters in Abuja, Director-General Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi highlighted this emerging pattern during discussions on human trafficking trends for the year 2024. According to her, traffickers are exploiting global brand trademarks, offering deceptive job opportunities in the oil and gas sector to trap unsuspecting individuals, particularly youths.

Waziri-Azi explained that victims are often promised lucrative positions with monthly salaries as high as $900, only to find themselves ensnared in various forms of exploitation upon arrival in their supposed destinations. The traffickers typically demand substantial sums of money, sometimes up to N850,000, for documentation and logistical expenses, which they confiscate upon arrival along with the victims’ personal belongings.

These schemes primarily target male and female victims aged between 15 and 35, who are trafficked through various routes, including the waterways of Ode Jetty in Lagos and land routes to neighboring West African countries.

In response to these alarming developments, Waziri-Azi urged Nigerians to exercise caution, advising them to scrutinize and verify any tempting job offers before acceptance, emphasizing the importance of seeking a second opinion and not allowing desperation to cloud judgment.

NAPTIP has intensified its efforts through enhanced partnerships, collaboration, rigorous prosecution, and extensive awareness campaigns to combat human trafficking effectively. These efforts have resulted in a significant increase in the conviction of traffickers, reflecting the agency’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.

As Nigerians remain vigilant against these deceptive practices, NAPTIP continues to advocate for comprehensive enlightenment strategies to equip citizens with timely and accurate information, reducing their vulnerability to human trafficking schemes across the region.

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