14 Ghanaian Men Stranded In Ukraine-Russia Conflict After Falling Victim To Recruitment Scam
A tragic case of deception has left 14 Ghanaian men stranded in the midst of the Ukraine-Russia war, after being lured to Russia under false promises of lucrative job opportunities, TV3 News has reported.
The alleged mastermind behind the recruitment, a Ghanaian identified as Abraham Boakye, also known as “One Man Supporter,” reportedly convinced the victims that they would be employed in high-paying security jobs abroad. However, after arriving in Russia on August 6, the men were forced into military training instead of the promised employment.
Attempts to reach “One Man Supporter” for comment have so far been unsuccessful.
In a news report aired by TV3, an Accra-based television station, one of the victims shared their ordeal. “We were told we would get a job working in security, but first had to undergo military training,” he said.
Forced Contracts and Passport Confiscation
The situation worsened when the victims’ passports were confiscated, and they were coerced into signing contracts written in Russian, a language they did not understand. “We signed contracts in Russian, and our passports were taken away,” another victim recounted, shedding light on the severity of their predicament.
Desperate Plea for Rescue
Three of the surviving members of the group, currently held against their will in the Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast region, have issued an urgent plea for help. “We are presently in Ukraine… we have no fighting experience. We are pleading, we want to return home,” one of the men said in desperation during the TV3 broadcast.
A Widespread Recruitment Scheme
This incident appears to be part of a larger global pattern in which Russia is reportedly recruiting foreign nationals for its military operations. According to a Bloomberg report, similar cases of recruitment scams have surfaced in countries such as India, Egypt, Nepal, and Cuba. The report suggests that Russia is seeking to bolster its military ranks with foreigners and migrant workers to avoid another domestic mobilization effort.
Families Seek Intervention
Back in Ghana, the families of the victims are calling on the government for urgent intervention. “We are appealing to the Ghanaian authorities to help us bring our sons back home,” one family member pleaded.
International Response
International efforts to tackle these fraudulent recruitment schemes are ongoing. Recently, the Indian government successfully intervened to secure the release of 45 Indian nationals who had been tricked into joining the Russian military. Families of the stranded Ghanaians are hopeful that a similar effort will be made to rescue their loved ones from the war zone.
As the situation unfolds, both local and international bodies are being urged to act swiftly to prevent further exploitation and ensure the safe return of the stranded Ghanaians.