Amanze Chinonye
Ghanaian authorities said they had arrested eight suspects and rescued 120 suspected trafficking victims in a raid on alleged scam centres, following an FBI announcement that more than 130 people had been arrested or detained in an operation targeting fraud against Americans.
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Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA) said the operation, known as Operation Cyber Hunt, was led by Ghanaian agencies with support from international partners, including the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency and Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
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The operation followed intelligence received on August 26 that apartments at Ubuntu Haven Estate in Kpone Katamanso, Franko Estate in Ga North and other locations in Ga West were allegedly being used as bases for organised cybercrime, including romance scams, the CSA said.
Most of the 120 people rescued were Nigerians, and arrangements were being made for their repatriation, the authority added. Investigations into the suspects and the seized equipment are continuing.
Items recovered during the operation included 136 mobile phones, 130 laptops, internet connectivity equipment, four motor vehicles, jewellery and 10 Nigerian passports. One of the vehicles was reported stolen from Canada, the CSA said.
The authority said Ghanaian agencies planned, coordinated and executed the operation within the country’s legal framework, with international partners providing support. It rejected any suggestion that the FBI had independently led the exercise.
In a separate announcement, FBI Director Kash Patel said the operation had identified nearly $10 million in losses, identified 89 victims and resulted in the seizure of more than 300 electronic devices. He said the figure of more than 130 people arrested or detained included victims expected to be repatriated to their home countries.
Patel described the raid as part of Operation Blackout, a broader FBI campaign against international scam centres targeting Americans. He said the initiative had resulted in roughly $17 billion in seizures, hundreds of arrests and the release of thousands of trafficked workers.
The FBI director also said more than 10,000 Americans had been warned before losing money, with estimated losses of $670 million prevented.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
