Lira City, Uganda: Police in Lira City on Monday raided and shut down the offices of a recruitment company accused of operating a fraudulent employment scheme that allegedly targeted desperate job seekers with promises of lucrative jobs.
The operation, conducted at Clement Mall in Lira City, led to the closure of Canan Dream Visionaries and the arrest of company staff alongside 73 youths who had reportedly been recruited through the scheme.
According to police, the youths comprised 44 males and 29 females who had reportedly paid money to the company in anticipation of securing employment opportunities, including alleged jobs abroad.
The crackdown follows growing concerns over fraudulent recruitment agencies that exploit high unemployment levels among young people by promising jobs in exchange for registration fees, processing charges, and other payments.
North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed the arrests and said investigations are underway to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud. “The suspects have been taken into custody. We are investigating the extent of the fraud and will ensure that justice is served,” Okema said.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the company had been collecting money from job seekers under the guise of facilitating employment opportunities.
Police believe many of the victims were convinced to part with their savings or borrow money after being promised deployment to various jobs.
One of the youths caught up in the operation said they had been assured of overseas employment opportunities and had invested heavily in the process. “We were told we would be deployed for jobs abroad. Many of us borrowed money to pay the fees. Now we don’t know what will happen,” the youth said.
Another victim revealed that he sold personal belongings in order to raise the required funds. “I sold my phone to raise the money. I feel cheated and betrayed. We trusted them because they operated openly in a mall,” he said.
The case highlights the growing challenge of job scams targeting unemployed youth, particularly in urban centres where demand for employment opportunities remains high.
Uganda continues to grapple with youth unemployment, a situation that has created fertile ground for fraudsters posing as recruitment agents and labour export companies.
Security agencies have repeatedly warned members of the public against making payments to individuals or organizations promising jobs without proper verification.
Okema urged anyone who may have fallen victim to the scheme to come forward and cooperate with investigators.
“We want to caution the public against falling prey to such schemes. Genuine employment opportunities do not require upfront payments. Anyone who has been defrauded should come forward and record a statement,” he said.
Police also warned parents and guardians to guide young people before they commit money to recruitment agencies whose credentials have not been verified.
“This is not the first case, and it will not be the last unless the public becomes vigilant. We urge parents and guardians to guide their children before they commit money to such ventures,” Okema added.
Authorities say investigations are continuing to determine whether the company operated alone or was part of a larger network involved in fraudulent recruitment activities.
The closure of Canan Dream Visionaries is expected to serve as a warning to other operators suspected of exploiting vulnerable job seekers through false employment promises.
Police have pledged to intensify operations against fraudulent recruitment agencies across the country as part of broader efforts to protect young people from employment-related scams.
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