BY UCHECHI OKPORIE
Ghanaian security agencies have arrested nine Nigerian nationals in connection with a major cybercrime operation in and around Accra, the country’s capital.
The arrests followed a two-day intelligence-led operation that also resulted in the rescue of 44 individuals believed to be victims of human trafficking.
According to BBC News reports, authorities say the victims were lured from Nigeria to Ghana with promises of lucrative employment, only to have their travel documents confiscated and be forced into online fraud activities.
The rescued individuals have since been transferred to the Ghana Immigration Service for protection and further assessment.
During coordinated raids on several locations, security operatives recovered 62 laptops, 52 mobile phones, and two pump-action shotguns, officials confirmed.
Investigators revealed that the suspects were involved in various forms of cybercrime, including romance scams, in which victims are manipulated into sending money to fictitious online partners, and business email compromise schemes that involve impersonating company executives or associates to divert funds and access sensitive information.
The operation was conducted jointly by multiple agencies, including the Cyber Security Authority (CSA).
In a statement posted on X, Communications Minister Sam George said all arrested individuals had been profiled and handed over to immigration authorities for further investigation.
He also cautioned foreign nationals to verify employment offers before traveling to Ghana.
Mr. George noted that suspects arrested in previous operations have either been extradited to Nigeria or are currently facing prosecution in Ghana.
Ghanaian authorities, working in collaboration with international partners, including the United States, have stepped up efforts to dismantle cybercrime networks operating within the country.
Recent enforcement actions include the arrest of Ghanaian social media influencer Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, who is accused of defrauding vulnerable Americans of approximately $8 million through romance scams. He has not publicly responded to the allegations.
In another operation, law enforcement agencies dismantled a criminal syndicate that reportedly defrauded more than 200 victims of about $400,000.
