In a significant crackdown on cyber-crime, Ghanaian authorities have apprehended nine individuals from Nigeria, believed to be orchestrating a range of illegal online activities from makeshift offices in Accra. The operation, which spanned two days, also resulted in the detention of 44 others, suspected to be victims who were misled into traveling to Ghana under false promises of employment.
During the coordinated raids, authorities seized an array of equipment, including 62 laptops and 52 mobile phones, alongside two pump-action shotguns. These findings highlight the scale of the cyber-crime networks operating in the region.
Reports indicate a worrying trend where foreign nationals are enticed to Ghana with the allure of well-paying jobs, only to find themselves confined in gated compounds, stripped of their identification documents, and coerced into participating in cyber-criminal activities. Many of these individuals are forced to engage in scams, such as romance frauds that deceive victims into sending money to individuals they believe to be romantic partners, or business email compromises, where scammers impersonate employers to obtain sensitive information and funds.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with multiple agencies, including the Cyber Security Authority (CSA). Communications Minister Sam George stated, “All individuals arrested have been properly identified and transferred to the Ghana Immigration Service for further processing and investigations.” He also urged foreign nationals to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of claims made by potential recruiters.
This latest operation builds on previous efforts to combat cyber-crime in Ghana, with many suspects from earlier operations being handed over to Nigerian authorities for prosecution. The CSA has been actively working with U.S. law enforcement to target high-profile cyber criminals, including the recent arrest of a well-known Ghanaian social media influencer, Frederick Kumi, who is accused of defrauding American citizens of millions through romance scams.
Furthermore, another successful initiative led to the dismantling of a criminal syndicate responsible for defrauding over 200 victims of approximately $400,000. The Ghanaian government remains committed to tackling cyber-crime and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
