CONCURRENCE FOR INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANCE - ICE

UNCLAS PARIS 000092 SIPDIS SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO DS/CR/CIL, DS/CR/VF ICE IAO FOR ERIC SALLICK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CVIS PHUM FR XY SUBJECT: CONCURRENCE FOR INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANCE - ICE SENSITIVE ¶1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests the assistance of the Regional Security Offices in Accra, Ghana and Lome, Togo in support of a Human Trafficking / Forced Child Labor investigation involving young females trafficked to the U.S. from Togo and Ghana. Three targets have been arrested in the U.S. and twenty-four Togolese and Ghanaian victims have been identified to date, eight of which are juveniles. ICE is requesting assistance in locating witnesses in Ghana and Togo for eventual interview by a team of ICE agents in support of the prosecution of these defendants. ¶2. The human smugglers travel to Africa to identify and locate Diversity Visa (DV) lottery winners. The traffickers then purchase derivative visa slots from these lottery winners, originally designated for the beneficiaries' children. The traffickers subsequently insert female impostors into those slots, who assume the identities of the original applicants' children. The children are lured, via their parents, under the guise that they will attend school, learn English, and earn money to send home while in the U.S. In reality, the young females are forced to work in hair salons in the Newark, New Jersey area and any earnings are maintained by the smuggling organization. The victims ultimately never attend school nor remit money back home. The organization also retains the victims' passports and fraudulently obtained Permanent Resident Cards, and severely limits contact with their families back in Africa. ¶3. The principal DV beneficiaries then use the money earned to pay for their own visa applications and travel fare to the U.S. The impostor victims often travel separately from the primary DV beneficiaries, normally as follow-to-join aliens accompanied by one of the smugglers or a designee. ¶4. On September 6, 2007 the ICE Special Agent in Charge (SAC), Newark, New Jersey, executed three arrest warrants and five search warrants resulting in the recovery of twenty-four Ghanaian and Togolese female victims, eight of whom were juveniles. The juveniles were placed into the care of several Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in the New Jersey area. More than $30,000 in cash was also seized. The three defendants are identified as follows: DEFENDANT 1 Akouavi KPADE AFOLABI DOB: 12/31/1954 a/k/a Gloria Lawson, DOB: 12/31/1967 a/k/a "Sister" a/k/a "Selina" Togolese Passports: A3004324 (Kpade) A3131603 (Lawson) Alien Registration Number: A056454009 * DV-2 issued under fraudulent identity of LAWSON Arrested 09/06/2007 in East Orange, NJ DEFENDANT 2 Lassissi AFOLABI aka "Fovi" aka "Bogard" DOB: 03/28/1963 Togolese Passport: A3138164 Alien Registration Number A079721435, class IR-6 (obtained through fraud) Arrested 09/06/2007 in East Orange, NJ DEFENDANT 3 Derek HOUNAKEY aka "Koko" DOB: 01/12/1977 Togolese Passport: A3188139 Alien Registration Number: A047691991 (DV-2) Arrested 09/06/2007 in East Orange, NJ ¶5. Each of the victims was interviewed by ICE and the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) and they provided critical information concerning their recruitment by traffickers, via their parents, in Africa. Information from the corroborating witnesses in Africa is necessary for the successful prosecution of these defendants. The USAO is currently drafting a superseding criminal indictment against the defendants charging them with Forced Labor, Trafficking for Forced Labor, Alien Smuggling, and Visa Fraud. ¶6. Pursuant to victim interviews and debriefings of arrestees, several potential material witnesses have been identified in Ghana and Togo. The victims, and associated information, are listed below. It should be noted that all of the victims were issued visas out of the Consular Section in Lome, and that they were issued under false identities. Those identities are also provided. TOGOLESE VICTIMS VICTIM 1 (JUVENILE) BELLA HOUNAKEY, D/POB: 05/05/1991, Togo a/k/a MARIE KPADE, DV-3, A057 536 079 Afagnan, Village House Pasmal Potential witness: Hounakey ADJEODA (teacher) Telephone: 228 962 7366 VICTIM 2 (JUVENILE) BIENVENUE AWATOR, D/POB: 05/22/1992, Togo a/k/a AMI KALIPE, DV-2, A058 030 523 Doulassame - ATAKPAME Potential witnesses: Dora (mother) Vitos (father) Telephone: (work) 228 440 0998;(cell) 228 908 7186; (father) 228 913 ¶5889. VICTIM 3 (JUVENILE) ENYOVIE KODENYOR, D/POB: 06/19/1990, Togo a/k/a ADJELE ATTISO, DV-3, A056 444 830 Notse, A.T.C. Notse Ville Potential witness: Kossi Kodenyor. (father) Telephone: 228 933 4939 Note: subject is cousin of BIENVENUE AWATOR VICTIM 4 (JUVENILE) ANNA HOUNAKEY, D/POB: 01/01/1995, Togo a/k/a KAFUI HOUNAKEY, DV-3, A057 499 553 Afagnan, Togo Potential witness: Uncle - name unknown. Telephone: 228 085 7193 VICTIM 5 (JUVENILE) KAFUI HUNAKE, D/POB: 11/24/1990, Togo a/k/a FOUSSENA AMADOU, DV-3, A058 015 548 Afagnan, Togo Potential witnesses: Ajo & Akua HOUNAKEY (parents) Telephone: 228 940 9340 VICTIM 6 SOMI ADENEN, D/POB: 12/25/1985, Togo a/k/a BERNADETTE DODJI, DV-2, A057 499 531 Aouda Village, Togo Potential witness: Somiyalou AMOUZE (mother) Telephone: none VICTIM 7 BELLA AKUVI MESSIGA, D/POB: 01/30/1988, Togo a/k/a HELENE YACOUBOU, DV-2, A057 517 845 Vogan, Gbohopeme Section Potential witnesses: Kwame Messeko (father); Seyametor Attiso (mother) Father lives separately in Tabligbo Telephone: 228 072 7199 (brother) VICTIM 8 AMA "SANDRA" AHOEFA, D/POB: 10/11/1986, Togo a/k/a DJATOUGBE ATADI, DV-2, A056 444 758 Adamavor, Rue Madonna Father's name- Nicholas Mensah Ama Mother's name- Abla Ama Telephone# 228 928 2622 VICTIM 9 AWA FOFANA, D/POB: 09/18/1988, Togo a/k/a REBECCA JOHNSON, DV-2, A058 006 411 Dapango village (near Nasabre) Potential witnesses: Ali Zuba Fofana (father); Cheale Nakoriba (mother) Telephone: 228 931 7378 VICTIM 10 DEDE AMEVOR, D/POB: 07/17/1989, Togo a/k/a ASSANA AMADOU, DV-2, A058 015 547 Hilakonji Village, close to Benin border Potential witnesses: brothers, listed below Telephone numbers: Simon: 228 099 9977; Francois: 228 918 4886; Norbert 228 994 1695 VICTIM 11 AKUA KPONGE (DADA),D/POB: 09/18/1988, Togo a/k/a DEDEVI APEDO, DV-3, A055 065 735 Potential witnesses: Adansi Zomatsi (father); Akuazoer Lartey (mother) Telephone: 228 960 585 (Tasi - cousin); 228 960 482 (Frank - cousin) VICTIM 12 ABLAVI "TINA" AGUEKU, D/POB: 04/28/1987, Togo a/k/a TITI NOWOUSSOU, DV-2, A056 444 847 Afagnan, Togo Potential witnesses: Abalo Agueku (father); Akouvi Aguekou (mother) VICTIM 13 ROSINE EMEFA "DOVENE" HOUNAKEY (JUVENILE) D/POB: 03/27/1990, Togo a/k/a SOPHIE AWATOR, DV-2, A055 099 912 Anfame, Lome Port Father: Romain Apelete Hounakey Mother: Melanie Samati Telephone #s 228 013 1364 ; 228 972 1783 VICTIM 14 AMEYO DGITO ADJAKPO, D/POB: 05/21/1983, Togo a/k/a BELLA MABOUI, DV-2, A056 392 629 Djonkouve Village Father: Kodjo Adjakpo Mother: Rebecca Katakpa Telephone: 228 996 7542 VICTIM 15 CECILE KOSSI, D/POB : 11/03/1984, Togo a/k/a AWA AMADOU, DV-2, A056 444 750 Atakpame, Togo Father: Komla Kossi Mother: Adjo Koza or Kossi VICTIM 16 KAFUI ABLA SONGOH, D/POB: 01/01/1985, Togo a/k/a KAFUI GOEH AKUE, DV-2, A055 065 722 No additional information available GHANAIAN VICTIMS VICTIM 17 (JUVENILE) ATA KOKUO-ANFO, D/POB:06/12/1990, Ghana a/k/a SISI JOHNSON, DV-2, A057 524 369 Towebaabi (or Tewobaabi) Has not contacted family in Africa to date VICTIM 18 (SISTER OF VICTIM 22) (JUVENILE) SRODA XEDAGBUI D/POB: 12/22/1990, Ghana a/k/a RACHELLE MAWUTODJI, DV-3, A055 058 826 Fiagbedzu, Dzoze, Ghana potential witnesses: George Xedagbui (father); Sonyedade Xedagbui (mother) Tel: 233 246 416 531 VICTIM 19 VIDA ANAGBLAH, D/POB: 12/25/1984, Ghana a/k/a VIVIAN ADJESSON, DV-2, A057 517 902 Dzoze, Ghana potential witnesses: Kofi Anagblah (father) Akosua Kudite (mother) Potential witnesses: family can be contacted through the family of PEACE HOMERNYOR (VICTIM 20) VICTIM 20 PEACE "ABLA" HOMERNYOR, D/POB: 01/01/1984, Ghana a/k/a LATRE AKPEDJE LAWSON BODY, DV-3, A055 065 806 Dzodze, Ghana Potential witnesses: Dasosi Homernyor (father) ; Ami Yaw (mother);Felix (brother);Charite (sister) Telephone: 233 245 22 1922 ; 233 245 07 7372 VICTIM 21 SEFAKOR KASA, D/POB: 01/01/1987, Ghana a/k/a VIVIAN MENSAH, DV-2, A057 530 257 Towebabaa (spelled phonetically),Ghana Potential witnesses: Yayaa Nowoussou (mother) Telephone: 233 274 52 6206 VICTIM 22 AMINYE "AMI" XEDAGBUI, D/POB: 02/07/1987, Ghana a/k/a SOETO AFOLABI, IR-7, A079 721 437 Fiagbedzu, Dzoze, Ghana Potential witnesses: George Xedagbui (father); Sonyedade Xedagbui (mother) Telephone: 233 246 416 531 VICTIM 23 VIVIAN ADJEI, D/POB: 04/26/1986, Ghana a/k/a LATRE HOHOANU LAWSON BODY, DV-3, A055 065 808 Kumasi, Ghana Potential witnesses: Robert Prince Adjei (father, in U.S.) ; Afua Tweneboah (mother) VICTIM 24 ROSE AKU SEGLAH, D/POB: 12/28/1977, Ghana a/k/a ABLAVI HOUINATO, DV-2, A055 020 157 Dzoze, Ghana Potential witnesses: Korsi Seglah (father) ; Storwhey Seglah (mother) ¶7. In the event that witnesses are successfully located and agree to cooperate, ICE SAC Newark Agents, accompanied by the ICE Attache overseas personnel, will request authorization to travel to Togo and Ghana in order to conduct interviews in support of this investigation. ¶8. Assistance is also requested in locating and obtaining documents relating to the victims' true identities. ¶9. Please note that the ICE Attache office in Paris, France covers activities in Togo and the ICE Attache office in Pretoria, South Africa covers activities in Ghana. Upon concurrence, these ICE Attache offices will coordinate with RSO Accra and RSO Lome respectively. ¶10. Please reference ICE Attache Paris case number PA15IR07NK0005 and ICE Attache Pretoria case number PJ15IR07NK0005 in any correspondence. ¶11. Points of contact: Paris: Assistant ICE Attache Richard Jolles, 2 Avenue Gabriel # A-225, 75008 Paris, France. Telephone: 33-1-4312-2371; fax: 33-1-4562-3639; e-mail: richard.jolles@dhs.gov; JollesRA@state.gov. Pretoria: ICE Attache Willis Reeves, 9300 Pretoria Place, Washington, DC 20521-9300. Telephone: 011-27-82-858-2291, fax: 011-27-12-431-4747; e-mail: willis.reeves@dhs.gov; ReevesWT@state.gov. ¶12. Thank you for your assistance. Lydia St. John-Mellado, ICE ATTACHE, PARIS, FRANCE STAPLETON