Six Ghanaians are among 79 people arrested in Zambia during a cybercrime operation, with Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warning that some nationals may have been lured to the country through fraudulent job offers before allegedly being forced into online scams.
The arrests were made in Lusaka on August 23, 2026, during a joint operation by the Zambia Police Service, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and Department of Immigration targeting a facility suspected of involvement in organised cybercrime. The 79 people arrested comprised 10 Zambians and 69 foreign nationals, including the six Ghanaians.
According to information received by the Ghana High Commission in Lusaka, some of the individuals had been recruited through what appeared to be legitimate employment opportunities, including online data-entry positions.
However, the Ministry said some of those recruited were subsequently subjected to coercive conditions and allegedly forced to participate in online scam activities after their passports were confiscated by their employers.
The Ministry said the development highlights the growing use of fraudulent employment opportunities by human trafficking syndicates to lure unsuspecting job seekers into illicit activities.
During the operation, security agencies seized 73 desktop computers, six laptops, 140 mobile phones, five Starlink kits, two external hard drives, 10 SIM cards and 75 passports. They also recovered Zambian kwacha, US dollars and other foreign currencies.
In a travel advisory issued on October 5, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Ghanaians travelling to Zambia, particularly those seeking employment, to exercise extreme caution and thoroughly verify job offers, recruitment agencies and prospective employers before travelling.
Ghanaians already living in Zambia have also been advised to remain vigilant when responding to online employment opportunities and maintain regular contact with the Ghana High Commission in Lusaka for consular assistance where necessary.
