In a sweeping crackdown on cybercrime, Ghanaian authorities have arrested 141 Nigerian nationals suspected of orchestrating a range of sophisticated online scams, including wire fraud, romance scams, sextortion, and business email compromise (BEC) schemes. The large-scale operation, which targeted criminal networks operating in the Lashibi and Tabora suburbs of Accra, underscores the growing threat of transnational cybercrime in West Africa and the determination of Ghanaian law enforcement to confront it head-on.

The arrests were the result of a meticulously planned, intelligence-led operation carried out by the Cyber Security Authority of Ghana in close collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, National Security, and the Ghana Immigration Service. Acting on actionable intelligence, security operatives launched coordinated raids in the early hours, simultaneously targeting multiple locations believed to be hubs for cybercriminal activity.

According to official statements, the operation yielded the arrest of 100 suspects in Tabora and an additional 41 in Lashibi. All those apprehended are believed to be Nigerian nationals, highlighting the cross-border nature of the criminal enterprise. The suspects are accused of engaging in a variety of cyber-enabled financial crimes, with evidence pointing to their involvement in mobile money fraud, romance scams, sextortion, and BEC wire fraud schemes that have victimized individuals and businesses both within Ghana and internationally.

During the raids, law enforcement officers seized 38 laptops and 150 mobile phones, devices suspected to have been used as tools in the commission of these crimes. The authorities have indicated that forensic analysis of the seized electronics is underway, with the aim of uncovering further evidence and identifying additional accomplices or victims. The scale of the operation and the volume of digital evidence recovered suggest a highly organized network with significant technical capabilities.

In a notable development, a Ghanaian landlord was also arrested for allegedly providing accommodation to approximately 100 of the suspects in his property. Authorities emphasized the responsibility of property owners to ensure their premises are not used as safe havens for criminal activity. The arrest of the landlord serves as a warning to others who may be complicit, whether knowingly or through negligence, in facilitating cybercrime.

Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samul Nartey George, addressed the public following the operation, reaffirming the government’s commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting the integrity of the country’s digital ecosystem. “Ghana remains welcoming to all of our friends and neighbours interested in legitimate enterprise. However, if you are interested in committing a cybercrime, we will find you, arrest you, and deal with you decisively according to our laws,” he stated.

The Minister also called on the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious digital activities to the authorities. He stressed the importance of community cooperation in the fight against cybercrime, noting that the success of such operations depends not only on law enforcement but also on the active participation of citizens and stakeholders in the digital economy.

Cybercrime has become an increasingly pressing issue in Ghana and across the West African region, with criminals exploiting advances in technology to perpetrate fraud, extortion, and other illicit activities. Mobile money fraud, in particular, has emerged as a major concern, given the widespread adoption of mobile financial services in Ghana. Romance scams and sextortion schemes have also proliferated, often targeting vulnerable individuals through social media and online dating platforms.

Business email compromise, another crime highlighted in the arrests, involves the use of fraudulent emails to trick companies into transferring funds or divulging sensitive information. Such schemes have caused significant financial losses to businesses worldwide and are often orchestrated by well-organized criminal syndicates operating across borders.

Ghanaian authorities have pledged to continue their crackdown on cybercrime, working in partnership with international law enforcement agencies and regional partners. The ongoing forensic analysis of the seized devices is expected to yield further insights into the operations of the arrested suspects and may lead to additional arrests and prosecutions.

As the investigation continues, the message from Ghana’s government is clear: the country will not tolerate the use of its territory as a base for cybercriminal activity, and those found culpable will face the full force of the law. The recent arrests mark a significant step in the ongoing battle against cybercrime and serve as a warning to would-be offenders that Ghana is committed to safeguarding its digital future.