Merit Travel and Tour Work and Pay Travel Scam Targeting Ghanaians on Facebook

Over the last few weeks, we have conducted an extensive investigation into “Travel and Tour” advertisements circulating on Facebook in Ghana. The Merit Travel and Tour Work and Pay remains the biggest threat since there are over 20 different such ads with the same name but different owners. In Ghana and the world at large, not more than one business can be registered and operate under the same name. Our findings reveal a disturbing trend of coordinated fraudulent activity that demands immediate attention from the Ghana Police Service and relevant security agencies.

The Anatomy of the Scam: How They Operate

These scammers primarily target vulnerable individuals looking for work opportunities in Canada and Europe. They operate under various aliases, most notably “Merit Travel and Tour,” “Travel Work and Pay Canada,” “Secure Work and Pay,” and, more recently, by impersonating established firms like “Bill Travel Consult.”

The process typically follows a predictable, manipulative pattern:

The Hook: They run ads promising “Work and Pay” programs, claiming to handle visas, plane tickets, and accommodation.

The Qualification: They ask for your location, age, and—critically—your passport.

The “ERCS” Myth: They often cite an “Employment and Recruitment Services of Canada (ERCS)” to sound legitimate, claiming you will work under them for a year with a salary deduction.

The Demand: They demand an initial payment of $100–$150 CAD (or roughly ₵550) for a “Job Application Form” or “Registration Fee.”

The Red Flag: When you ask for their physical office address to make an in-person payment, they either refuse to disclose it or claim you cannot visit without an “appointment,” which is a blatant lie used to keep victims at a distance.

Warning: Identity Impersonation

We have identified a growing trend where scammers hijack the names and locations of legitimate, real-world businesses. When you confront them about visiting their office, they attempt to gaslight potential clients by claiming they do not accept “walk-in” visits.

Remember: No legitimate business looking to recruit clients will prevent you from visiting their office during business hours.

How to Protect Yourself

Never Pay for “Forms” Online: Legitimate travel agencies do not charge arbitrary fees for job application forms via WhatsApp or Facebook.

Verify Physical Locations: If an agency claims to have an office, visit it in person. If they refuse to give you an address, it is a scam. Even knowing and visiting the office of such businesses is no proof that they are not scammers

Be Skeptical of “Guarantees”: Any agency promising “100% Visa Approval” is lying. Visa issuance is the sole discretion of a country’s embassy or high commission; no third-party consultant can guarantee an outcome.

READ:46 visa-free countries Ghanaians can travel to in 2025

Check Official Channels: Always verify employment offers through the official immigration websites of the destination country (e.g., Canada.ca).

We urge the public to remain vigilant. If you have been targeted by these groups, report them to the nearest police station or the cybersecurity authority. Do not be fooled by such persons online irrespective  of where they run the ads.

Facebook, as a company, also needs to check the backgrounds of advertisers to ensure that the use of Merit Travel and Tour to run ads on their website is only done by the company that has the legal right to use such a name.