Stranded in Russia: Ghanaians Duped by TikTok Agents with Fake Job Promises
Four Ghanaians have found themselves stranded in Russia after paying 40,000 GHC each to a TikTok agent who promised them well-paying jobs upon arrival. With their visas now expired and no legitimate work opportunities, they are struggling to survive, facing the risk of deportation while seeking ways to escape to Poland or Germany.
Augustine, one of the stranded Ghanaians in St. Petersburg, shared his ordeal.
The agent secured a tourist visa for them and assured them that they would start working immediately after arrival.
He claimed to have job connections in factories with good salaries. However, upon reaching Russia, reality hit differently.
“When we arrived, it was winter, and we couldn’t start work. The jobs the agent promised required documents we didn’t have. Without proper documentation, even those in construction are getting fired,” Augustine explained.
He spent 80,000 GHC on the trip, including visa fees, airfare, and pocket money. Out of this, the agent alone took 40,000 GHC. Before leaving Ghana, Augustine worked in road construction in Sunyani and believed moving to Russia would offer better opportunities.
“The agent convinced me I could save 12,000 GHC monthly, so I sacrificed my little savings and migrated,” he said.
With no stable income, survival has been difficult. The stranded Ghanaians face constant police harassment. Augustine has been arrested twice.
“They arrest you, take a bribe, and release you. But now, they want to deport us,” he said.
Daniel, another victim, narrated his experience. He first saw the agent on TikTok, where he was advertising factory jobs in Russia.
After paying 35,000 GHC, he arrived in Russia, only to discover that jobs were scarce. The housing situation was also dire.
“We rented a two-bedroom apartment at $240 each. After just a week, the landlord evicted us at gunpoint because the person who rented it to us had no right to do so,” he recounted.
Despite finding temporary work at a fish company, police inspections led to mass dismissals of undocumented workers. His financial struggles have left him unable to repay the 30,000 GHC loan his sister took to fund his trip.
Now facing deportation, some of the stranded Ghanaians are considering illegal means to escape to Poland or Germany.
“A connection man says he can smuggle us through Belarus or Germany, but I’ve never seen anyone use that route,” Augustine said.
In desperation, he even considered joining the Russian army.
“I watched an interview that made me realize the dangers involved, and now, I hear they’re not recruiting anymore,” he added.
The victims warn Ghanaians against believing TikTok agents who promise jobs in Russia.
“If we had been told the truth, we would have thought it was a lie. Now, we are paying the price,” said Ansah, another stranded Ghanaian.
With no job, no income, and no legal status, the young men regret leaving Ghana.
“If I had stayed, I would be better off. I worked hard in Ghana, and now I have nothing,” Augustine lamented.
Their only options now are to risk the dangerous journey to Europe or find a way to return home empty-handed.
Another victim called Daniel shared his experience ..how he was scammed by the same TikTok agent promising job opportunities in Russia.
He paid 35,000 GHC for a visa and arrived in Russia after spending a total of 60,000 GHC, including travel and rent. Upon arrival, he struggled to find stable housing and work.
Initially, he stayed in a shared apartment, but the landlord evicted them at gunpoint. He later found a job in a fish company but was soon arrested by the police, who took his money. His salary was much lower than expected, and he struggled to make ends meet. His wife also borrowed money to support him, but he has gained nothing from the move.
Many Ghanaians were duped by TikTok agents who promised work but only provided tourist visas, leaving them stranded.
With no stable income and his visa expired, Daniel now considers moving to Poland or Germany, possibly through illegal means. He was even tempted to join the Russian army as a last resort.
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