Samuel, a Ghanaian from Tema, shared his painful experience after falling victim to a travel scam. He was previously employed as a security officer at the Ghana Airport Company in Sunyani, before landing a well-paying job with an oil company in Tema. At the oil firm, he earned GH₵6,500 with additional benefits including insurance and allowances.
While working, Samuel stayed in touch with a friend who claimed to be living in South Korea. This friend later told him about a supposed job opportunity in Australia with a lucrative salary of 8,000 Australian dollars. Tempted by the offer, Samuel was convinced to pursue it. At the time, he had GH₵25,000 saved in his bank account, but the total cost for the travel arrangement was GH₵80,000. Determined to secure the opportunity, he took a GH₵65,000 loan from Republic Bank, confident he could repay it quickly once he started earning in Australia.
He paid GH₵10,000 upfront, and was told he would first go to Dubai for an interview. A Dubai visa was arranged for him and a Kenya Airways ticket was booked. Upon arrival in Dubai, someone picked him up and took him to a hotel, just as promised. Everything looked legitimate—he even cross-checked the documents online.
Soon after, the agent requested the balance of GH₵40,000, which Samuel sent. But after spending two weeks in Dubai with no interview or job, he realized he had been scammed. He had already resigned from his oil company job back in Ghana and even rented out his room in Tema.
Despite his father warning him not to leave his stable job for an unverified offer, Samuel went ahead, partly encouraged by his mother’s support. With no options in Dubai, he looked for a job and got one in a metal company. However, the work was extremely difficult and the salary was just AED 1,500 (around GH₵2,000). His visa was renewed by the company, but the job didn’t provide the life he had hoped for.
While in Dubai, he met a Liberian who introduced him to his brother, who imports drinks into Liberia. Samuel eventually followed him there, hoping for better opportunities. Unfortunately, things didn’t improve. He was only paid $100 monthly (about GH₵1,000), which couldn’t cover his expenses. Accommodation was poor—he paid $75 for a small room in an old building.
Feeling broken, Samuel admits, “I’ve destroyed my life.” His mother is now advising him to return to Ghana and start over. But he fears facing the people in Tema, where he used to live and work. He doesn’t know if he should go back to his old oil company to ask for re-employment.
He also revealed that he has a child, whom his wife is now taking care of alone. To make ends meet, Samuel occasionally resorts to betting. His story is a painful reminder of how quickly life can turn upside down due to misplaced trust
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