Ghanaian authorities have confirmed the arrest of 53 Nigerian nationals linked to a cybercrime operation based mostly in and round Accra, the nation’s capital.
Sam George, Ghana’s minister of communications, disclosed the arrests in a submit on X on January 18.
George stated the operation was carried out collectively by a number of businesses, together with the Cyber Safety Authority.
In response to him, 44 Nigerian males have been trafficked to Ghana and compelled to hold out cybercrime actions at places of work throughout Accra.
“All of the arrested people have been duly profiled and handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for safekeeping and additional investigations,” he wrote.
George warned international nationals invited to Ghana to confirm claims made by their compatriots, saying some victims have been lured with false guarantees of profitable jobs.
Authorities stated 9 Nigerians have been arrested as suspects following a two-day, intelligence-led operation that raided a number of places.
In the course of the raids, safety operatives seized 62 laptops, 52 cellphones and two pump-action weapons.
Officers stated the remaining 44 Nigerians have been victims who have been confined in gated compounds, had their paperwork seized and have been compelled to interact in cybercrime.
The alleged offences included romance scams and enterprise e mail compromise schemes, the place perpetrators impersonate trusted people or organisations to steal cash or delicate data.
George stated suspects arrested in earlier operations have both been handed over to Nigerian authorities or are being prosecuted in Ghana.
He stated the arrests are a part of intensified efforts by Ghanaian authorities to clamp down on cybercrime in collaboration with worldwide companions, together with legislation enforcement businesses in america.
Latest instances embrace the arrest of Abu Trica, a Ghanaian social media influencer born Frederick Kumi, who’s accused of stealing $8 million from weak People by way of a romance rip-off.
Authorities additionally reported the dismantling of a syndicate that allegedly defrauded greater than 200 victims of about $400,000.