The Kumbo Catholic Diocese in Cameroon’s North West Region has sounded the alarm over an increase in overseas job scams and human trafficking cases in Cameroon.
In a letter issued by the diocese’s Justice and Peace Commission, Christians have been urged to stay alert and exercise caution.
According to the diocese, victims are being lured with false promises of lucrative jobs. Most victims end up in countries like Togo, Nigeria, and Ghana.
“We write once again to call your attention to the growing phenomenon of human trafficking taking root in our diocese. There are many of our sons and daughters, friends and relatives who were promised jobs in big companies and are now stranded out there in Togo, Nigeria, Ghana, etc., always demanding more money for one thing or the other as we write,” said Minkoue Nzi, coordinator of the Justice and Peace Commission.
The release notes that, although there have been crackdowns on trafficking operations, perpetrators are constantly evolving their methods.
“Traffickers keep changing their strategies. The ongoing crises in the two Anglophone regions have increased vulnerability, unemployment and hardship in our communities. Traffickers are taking advantage of this, and the rate of human trafficking has drastically increased in the past years,” the coordinator stated.
In response, the diocese is intensifying efforts to sensitise families and local communities on the growing threat.
“As a matter of urgency, we call on any family whose child or children have fallen victim to get in touch with the Diocesan Justice and Peace Office as soon as possible with useful information to enable the office to respond to this worrying issue,” the statement added.
Victims Share Experiences
The trafficking of young people to West African countries has been ongoing for several years.
Victims are often promised high-paying jobs in reputable companies.
Once abroad, however, they are typically locked up and coerced into recruiting others to expand the network.
In 2023, MMI reported two cases of Cameroonians trafficked to Nigeria and Ghana.
One of the victims, who has since returned from Ghana, said he was taken there by a friend who had also been trafficked.
He described the operation as a scam network masked as a business chain.
According to him, traffickers promise huge salaries to lure targets. Once a victim successfully recruits another person, they receive a percentage of the money paid.
Due to the attractive offers, many individuals pay hundreds of thousands of FCFA just to secure what they believe are job opportunities.
But once they arrive, their identification documents are seized, making it nearly impossible to return.
Desperate and stranded, victims are then forced to start recruiting new people from Cameroon.
Kumbo: A Trafficking Hotspot Amid Crisis
Since the Anglophone Crisis started, Bui Division, where Kumbo is located, has remained one of the most affected areas.
The ongoing armed conflict has plunged many families into poverty and uncertainty, increasing their susceptibility to trafficking schemes.
The Diocese of Kumbo attributes this heightened vulnerability to the surge in trafficking cases. They further say a more coordinated efforts are needed to tackle the problem.
