Romance scams: Ghana police warn of fake partners offering travel abroad

Police in Ghana are warning of a growing fraud scheme that begins with feelings. The director of the Ghana Police Service's Anti-Trafficking Unit, Superintendent William Ayariga, said on the "Citi Breakfast Show" on Oct. 22, 2026, according to Rainbow Radio, that perpetrators pose as romantic partners, close friends or trusted acquaintances abroad. Once they have won their victims' trust, they demand large sums for travel documents, work permits or recruitment fees – often before the victims have even left Ghana. Victims are sometimes then lured to other West African countries, where their documents are confiscated on arrival. "The travel abroad scams are on the increase," Ayariga said. Police advise checking travel and job offers with certified agencies before making any payment; they did not give case numbers.

Romance scams are also on the rise in the Philippines, there involving supposedly held-up parcels. Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said on Oct. 19, 2026, according to the Daily Tribune, that his agency receives more than 70 reports a month from women who have been targeted. In the past, mainly elderly people fell victim; now it is increasingly women in their 30s and 40s. In extreme cases, losses run into millions of pesos: an 80-year-old woman lost 9 million pesos to a scammer posing as Elon Musk, according to the authorities.

The pattern is always similar, according to customs: the perpetrators build a seeming romantic relationship via social media and dating apps, send small gifts and then announce valuable presents such as jewelry. They then claim the shipment is stuck at customs – for a fee of $1,000 or more. "Since the victim believes she is in a legitimate relationship, she transfers the money to the account provided," Nepomuceno said. The agency advises paying duties only through authorized banks or official government portals and never into personal accounts or mobile wallets.