Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFARI) has issued an urgent warning to young Ghanaians to stop engaging with individuals and networks operating under the QNET brand and similar overseas recruitment schemes, after a significant rise in cases of citizens who travelled abroad on false promises and ended up stranded, detained, or exploited in foreign countries.
In a statement issued on Friday, March 13, 2026, the ministry said it had observed a worrying increase in fraudulent activities linked to individuals and networks associated with QNET and similar operations targeting unsuspecting Ghanaians. The ministry said victims were being deceived with promises of employment opportunities, business prospects, and assistance in securing European visas, only to end up stranded, detained by foreign immigration authorities, or subjected to exploitative and distressing conditions abroad.
The ministry specifically cited QNET, a multilevel marketing company that has previously drawn regulatory scrutiny and fraud allegations across several African countries, as one of the principal networks targeting vulnerable Ghanaian youth with deceptive recruitment tactics.
Arrests, Rescues and Court Cases Already Under Way
The advisory reflects enforcement activity already in progress. In a major crackdown in the Ashanti Region, the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) arrested hundreds of individuals and rescued nearly 300 victims who had been trafficked or deceived through a fake recruitment network linked to QNET operations. Investigators said victims had been brought from across Ghana and housed in locations in the Ashanti Region after being promised employment and overseas opportunities that never materialised.
Ghanaian authorities had also previously disclosed that 20 Ghanaian nationals were under investigation and facing trial in Côte d’Ivoire over alleged involvement in a QNET-related fraud syndicate, while others in the same case were identified as victims of the scheme rather than perpetrators. The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) subsequently repatriated eight foreign nationals who had been convicted over illegal activities carried out under the guise of QNET operations.
How the Schemes Operate
The schemes typically involve recruiters persuading victims to make financial commitments, including paying large sums for supposed travel arrangements or business investments, before the victim leaves Ghana. Once abroad, victims discover that the promised jobs, income, or visa pathways do not exist.
The ministry urged the public to verify all travel, recruitment and business offers through official government channels before paying any money or committing to travel. It reminded the public that legitimate travel and employment opportunities will always involve transparent, verifiable, and official diplomatic processes.
Parents, guardians, and community leaders were specifically called upon to educate those around them about the warning signs of fraudulent overseas recruitment. The ministry said it was working with national security agencies and international partners to dismantle the criminal networks behind the schemes.
Members of the public who encounter suspicious offers or recruitment activity can report directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at mfa.gov.gh or by calling +233204552750, or by contacting the relevant security and immigration authorities.
