It was a well-coordinated police operation that uncovered what appeared to be a sophisticated human trafficking scheme disguised as job recruitment, as territorial police in Nagalama rescued 51 people from a suspected human trafficking and job scam ring at Global Alliance on the morning of April 2nd, around 10 a.m.
The victims were reportedly lured with promises of employment. Police says they received reports of suspicious activities involving AIM Global Alliance, a networking company based in Naggalama Division, Mukono District.
The victims, desperate for employment, were allegedly conned into paying Shs 150,000 as a so-called training fee upon reporting for the promised jobs. Once there, their phones were confiscated, and they were pressured to recruit friends and relatives. The victims were further manipulated into convincing their families to pay Shs 1.5 million to buy company products for resale, a tactic police say is commonly used in pyramid schemes.
Police rescued the victims from multiple locations across Kalagi; Kakola village in Kyabakadde parish, Kyampisi sub-county: 14 victims, including 3 males and 11 females, were found sleeping in a single room.
Kalagi village, Naggalama A ward: 20 victims including 10 males and 10 females were packed into one small room.
Bbosa village in Kyabakadde parish: 14 victims, 6 males and 8 females, were also found in one room.
All the rescued individuals had been living under harsh conditions, deceived by the hope of earning up to Shs 1 million a month through recruitment and sales.
Two suspects, Kasule Zephaniah and Nantima Evelyn are believed to be the masterminds of the operation, have been arrested and are in custody at Nagalama Police Station as investigations continue.
Police are urging the public to be vigilant and report suspicious job offers that involve upfront payments.
