QNET has called for deeper collaboration between governments, law enforcement agencies and the private sector to dismantle the criminal networks behind cross-border human trafficking and fraud across West and Central Africa.
Speaking at the EOCO–INTERPOL Regional Workshop on Tackling Cross-Border Human Trafficking and Scams in Accra, the Chief Communications Officer of QI Group, Ms. Ramya Chandrasekaran, said criminal syndicates are becoming increasingly sophisticated in exploiting vulnerable people through false promises of employment, education, travel and other opportunities.
She noted that many of these criminal groups also misuse the names of legitimate companies to make their schemes appear credible and deceive unsuspecting victims.
Ms. Chandrasekaran disclosed that QNET has itself been a victim of such impersonation, with fraudsters misrepresenting the company’s brand, products and business model to facilitate criminal activities.
“While this affects our company, we recognise that the greater harm is done to the victims and communities who are deceived, trafficked and exploited,” she said.
She explained that QNET’s response extends beyond protecting its corporate reputation, highlighting the company’s public awareness campaigns, community education initiatives, collaboration with law enforcement agencies, and support for victim repatriation efforts in countries where criminal networks have exploited its brand.
According to her, the company’s partnership with Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has demonstrated the importance of sustained public-private collaboration in combating organised crime.
She stressed that because criminal syndicates operate across national borders, effective responses must equally be coordinated across jurisdictions through intelligence sharing, joint investigations and practical cooperation.
Ms. Chandrasekaran commended EOCO and INTERPOL for convening the regional workshop, describing it as an important platform for security agencies and partners to exchange intelligence, identify emerging criminal trends and strengthen regional cooperation against trafficking and fraud.
She reaffirmed the commitment of QNET and its parent company, QI Group, to continue supporting efforts aimed at protecting vulnerable communities from scams, human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
The workshop brought together representatives from law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and regional partners from several West African countries to develop coordinated strategies for tackling organised criminal networks operating across borders.
