The Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and international online retail company QNET, with a significant presence in Ghana, has announced a landmark partnership aimed at combating cross-border organized criminal activities, including human trafficking, recruitment scams, and financial crimes perpetrated under the guise of the QNET brand.
The MOU outlines a comprehensive four-point commitment; Detection and Investigation which focuses on thorough investigations into criminal activities perpetrated against Ghanaian citizens and the economy using the QNET brand. Prosecution of individuals and groups found to be engaging in illicit activities, raising public awareness about the risks associated with these crimes and provide education on how to identify and avoid them, including planned roadshows and to also strengthen collaboration between EOCO, other law enforcement agencies, and QNET to prevent the exploitation of legitimate businesses for criminal purposes.
Speaking at a joint press briefing, Raymond Archer, Executive Director of EOCO, highlighted the devastating impact these crimes have had on Ghanaian citizens, particularly the youth. “For us at EOCO, it is imperative that we take swift and decisive action to combat them,” Archer stated.
He announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between EOCO and QNET to collaborate on identifying and dismantling these criminal networks.
Mr. Archer emphasized that this partnership marks a critical step towards combating organized and cross-border crime in Ghana. “Through this partnership, QNET and EOCO are seeking to leverage our expertise and resources to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks, protect our citizens, and maintain the integrity of our economy,” he affirmed.
He expressed gratitude to QNET for their cooperation and acknowledged the leadership and support of the National Security Coordinator, the Director-General of the Ghana Immigration Service, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service, as well as the Director-General of the National Intelligence Bureau for their efforts leading to this partnership.
Meanwhile, Ramya Chandrasekeran, Chief Information Officer of QI Group (QNET’s parent company), thanked EOCO for taking this bold step.
“This collaboration is not just a partnership between a private company and a government entity, it is the coming together of two entities with one shared mission: to protect innocent lives from the deception and cruelty of organized crime syndicates,” she stated.
Chandrasekeran shared her personal heartbreak from hearing stories of Ghanaians who have lost life savings, been trafficked, or had their dreams crushed due to the misuse of the QNET name. “The people behind these scams are not just tarnishing the QNET name; they are destroying lives, separating families, and pushing people into illegal migration, forced labor, and worse,” she asserted.
She detailed QNET’s efforts over the past two years, including public awareness campaigns like QNET Against Scams, continuous media engagement, collaboration with law enforcement, and a free financial literacy program in vulnerable communities.
“As a private company, there is a limit to how far our voice can carry. That is why today matters, because today we have EOCO standing beside us,” Chandrasekeran noted. “With EOCO’s reach, authority, and investigative powers, and our commitment to transparency and education, we now have the collective strength to take this fight to the next level,” she added.
The partnership is targeted at establishing sensitization roadshows, intensified media campaigns, and critical intelligence sharing to support EOCO’s enforcement activities.
The Chief Communications Officer concluded by stating, “We do not want to be remembered as a company that fought to protect its brand. We want to be remembered as a company that fought to protect the people. And as long as criminals continue to misuse our name to harm innocent people, we will not stop fighting.”
Story By: Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
