EOCO, QNET support repatriation of 33 Burkinabe nationals

QNET has supported the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in the repatriation and handover of 33 Burkinabe nationals rescued during an anti-trafficking operation in Ghana.

The 33 nationals were among 44 foreign nationals rescued and arrested during an operation conducted by EOCO on July 21, 2026, in connection with a suspected travel scam syndicate.

The operation, which received support from QNET, followed a regional law enforcement workshop jointly organised by EOCO, INTERPOL and QNET in Ghana in July.

The workshop focused on the “Model Q Modus Operandi” and equipped law enforcement officers from West and Central Africa with skills to identify and investigate human trafficking, migrant smuggling, digital fraud and deceptive recruitment schemes.

The rescued foreign nationals comprised 34 nationals from Burkina Faso, eight from Côte d’Ivoire, one from Mali and one from Nigeria.

Following preliminary screening conducted in collaboration with the respective diplomatic missions, 33 Burkinabe nationals were repatriated on August 13, 2026, and handed over to INTERPOL Burkina Faso at the Paga Border Post on August 14, 2026.

QNET said its support forms part of its broader efforts to assist law enforcement authorities in tackling criminal networks that misuse the company’s name to lure vulnerable people through fraudulent employment, travel and business-related schemes.

The company said it has been working with EOCO, INTERPOL, the Burkina Faso Embassy in Ghana and other relevant stakeholders to help identify and disrupt such networks.

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Cherif Sarr, Regional General Manager for Central and West Africa at QNET, said criminal networks exploiting the company’s name pose a serious threat to vulnerable individuals.

“Criminal networks that misuse QNET’s name damage trust and, more importantly, put vulnerable people at risk. We have a responsibility to act when we become aware of such activity, whether by sharing information with the authorities, supporting investigations or helping the public verify legitimate QNET opportunities,” he said.

Sarr added that QNET would continue to strengthen safeguards across the region to prevent the misuse of its brand and legitimate business opportunities.

EOCO, for its part, said the successful operation highlighted the importance of timely information sharing and cooperation between law enforcement agencies, the private sector and international partners.

The office acknowledged the support received from QNET, INTERPOL and other stakeholders in identifying and disrupting criminal networks exploiting vulnerable persons through fraudulent recruitment and related schemes.

QNET has urged the public to exercise caution when presented with offers purporting to guarantee employment, travel opportunities or other benefits while falsely claiming to represent the company.

The company has also established a Compliance Office in Accra, where law enforcement authorities and media organisations can seek information or clarification on suspected misuse of the QNET name.

Read the statement below





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