Police Bust Major Recruitment Scam in Winneba; Six Arrested, 54 Victims Rescued
"Major Recruitment Scam Uncovered in Winneba: 6 Arrested, 54 Victimized"
Emmanuelkumi 
The Effutu Municipal Police Command has successfully dismantled a sophisticated recruitment scam operating in Winneba, arresting six suspects and rescuing 54 victims who had been duped by false promises of employment.
The police operation, conducted late Thursday evening, followed intelligence reports and complaints from suspicious residents. The syndicate allegedly lured dozens of aspiring jobseekers from various parts of the country to Winneba, promising them enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces and other state security agencies.
According to the Effutu Municipal Police Commander, the suspects had set up a fake screening and documentation centre where they collected significant sums of money from their victims, ranging from GHS 1,500 to GHS 3,000, under the guise of processing fees, medical examinations, and uniform costs.
The 54 rescued individuals, comprised of both men and women, were found gathered at a rented flat complex on the outskirts of Winneba, awaiting their supposed final instructions for training.
"These criminals prey on the desperation of our youth who are earnestly seeking employment," stated the Police Commander. "This successful operation sends a clear message: we will not tolerate such fraudulent activities in this municipality. Recruitment into our security services is not for sale, and any person demanding money for such a purpose is a criminal."
The arrests come at a time of high public anticipation for official recruitment into the security services, following recent government announcements of an impending, large-scale enlistment based on a new regional quota system. Authorities believe the scammers deliberately timed their scheme to exploit this public knowledge.
The six suspects are currently in custody at the Winneba Police Station and are assisting with further investigations. They are expected to be arraigned before court next week on charges of fraud and human trafficking.
The Ghana Police Service has issued a stern warning to the public to be extremely cautious of any advertisements or individuals claiming to offer protocol or special placement in any job, especially within state institutions. They advise all aspiring applicants to exclusively use official portals and public announcements from the respective agencies and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station immediately.
