Ghana's security forces have arrested nine Nigerians suspected of coordinating a host of cyber-crime activities from makeshift offices in and around the capital, Accra.
In addition, forty-four others, believed to be victims lured from Nigeria under false pretenses, have been detained and turned over to the immigration authority.
During the two-day intelligence-led operation, authorities reported the seizure of 62 laptops, 52 mobile phones, and two pump-action guns.
There is a growing trend of foreign nationals being misled into coming to Ghana with promises of lucrative job opportunities, only to find themselves imprisoned in gated compounds, with their documents confiscated, and forced to engage in cyber-crime.
The scams often involve romance scams where victims send money to fictitious partners or business email compromises where perpetrators impersonate employers to solicit funds or sensitive information.
The weekend’s operation was a collaborative effort involving various agencies, including the Cyber Security Authority (CSA).
“All arrested individuals have been duly profiled and handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for safekeeping and further investigations,” Communications Minister Sam George stated.
He also cautioned that foreign nationals invited to Ghana should verify any claims made by their compatriots to avoid being trapped in such scams.
George mentioned that suspects apprehended in previous operations have either faced prosecution locally or been handed over to Nigerian law enforcement.
The CSA continues to collaborate with US authorities to target significant cyber-crime suspects, with recent successes including the arrest of a popular Ghanaian social media influencer accused of stealing $8 million from American victims through romance scams.
Another notable operation dismantled a criminal syndicate that defrauded over 200 victims out of $400,000.
