19 arrested in Ghana as international operation targets online scam networks
Authorities arrested 19 people in Sasaabi, Ghana, and seized 303 electronic devices during an international crackdown on suspected online scam networks. Nine people were also arrested in Nigeria, while Meta said it removed more than 3.7 million accounts, Pages and Groups.
graphic.com.gh19 Arrested, 303 devices seized - US Justice Dept shares latest details of Sasaabi cybercrime raid
myjoyonline.comMeta removes 3.7 million accounts in international fraud crackdown linked to UK, US victims
Arrests and seizures
Authorities arrested 19 people in Sasaabi, near Accra, and seized 303 electronic devices as part of an international operation targeting suspected online scam networks. Nine additional arrests were made in Nigeria’s Delta State, where officers seized six laptops, 35 mobile phones and 12 routers.
The initiative, called “Joint Disruption Week,” targeted networks reaching victims in the United States, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The UK’s National Crime Agency hosted the October 6–9 operation, bringing together more than 100 representatives from law enforcement agencies and technology companies.
Trafficking victims identified
Authorities in Ghana identified 117 people as suspected victims of human trafficking who were awaiting return to Nigeria.
Ghanaian agencies had also raided suspected scam centres in the same location in late September, making multiple arrests and seizing 85 mobile phones and 44 laptops. Some people initially taken into custody were subsequently identified as suspected trafficking victims who may have been coerced into criminal activity, the NCA said.
Online infrastructure disrupted
Meta said it removed more than 3.7 million accounts, Pages and Groups associated with scams and shared information on more than 30 suspected scam centres, contributing to arrests and the identification of trafficking victims.
Private-sector partners identified about $11 million in funds that could potentially be frozen. The sources do not describe that amount as money already frozen or recovered.
Cross-border cooperation
Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority led the Ghana operation, working with Ghanaian security agencies and receiving support from the NCA, FBI and Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
NCA Deputy Director of Fraud Nick Sharp said international partnerships were essential to tackling fraud networks operating across borders, and that the agency would continue working with law enforcement and private-sector partners to disrupt them.
