Some Ghanaians imprisoned in Nigeria for operating under the pretense of offering employment opportunities through QNet.
Forty-one individuals from Ghana find themselves imprisoned in Nigeria after engaging in fraudulent activities while operating under the pretense of offering employment opportunities through the e-commerce firm QNet. These Ghanaians were tried and convicted by the Obaga Ikeja-Lagos Magistrate Court last year, receiving hefty sentences of six years of laborious incarceration, as reported by the New Publisher.
Ironically, these Ghanaians were themselves victims of a ruthless QNet syndicate. They were initially lured to Nigeria, held hostage, manipulated, and coerced into deceiving other unsuspecting Ghanaians. This sinister operation involved tactics such as false claims of being in foreign countries like France, enticing fellow Ghanaians to part with substantial sums of money, all of which ultimately ended up in the hands of the syndicate.
One poignant case is that of Esther Agyemang, a 21-year-old who is currently serving a six-year sentence. She disclosed on Kumasi-based Angel FM the harrowing details of her involvement. A friend of hers, who had himself fallen victim to the scheme, enticed her with fraudulent promises of being in France as a member of QNet. Esther raised GH20,000 and joined her friend, only to realize that she had been ensnared in a scam, mirroring the cartel's modus operandi.
Esther was later compelled to deceive another close friend, convincing her to leave Ghana for Nigeria under the pretense of going to France. Fortunately, this friend grew suspicious and fled upon arrival in Nigeria. The Nigerian authorities, having been alerted to the situation, apprehended the victims, but the kidnappers managed to evade capture, leaving only the Ghanaians to face the consequences.
To their dismay, these Ghanaians claim they were not afforded the opportunity to defend themselves during their court proceedings. Esther Agyemang and her fellow prisoners have now served one year of their sentences, all while maintaining their innocence. In a heartfelt plea, Esther beseeched Ghanaian authorities to intervene on their behalf, emphasizing their desperate need for justice.
This unfortunate incident is not an isolated case, as numerous reports of individuals falling victim to QNet-related scams have emerged. Many Ghanaians have suffered substantial financial losses and have found themselves stranded in various countries, including Nigeria, Togo, and Cote d'Ivoire. The plight of these 41 imprisoned Ghanaians underscores the urgency of addressing such fraudulent schemes and providing support to those ensnared by them.
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