Ghanaian security agencies have arrested 141 Nigerian nationals in Accra over alleged involvement in organised cybercrime, including mobile money fraud, romance scams, sextortion and business email compromise.
141 Nigerians Arrested in Ghana Over Alleged Cybercrime
The arrests were carried out in the early hours of Saturday, Dec. 27, following a coordinated intelligence-led operation in the Tabora and Lashibi suburbs of Accra.
The Cyber Security Authority of Ghana, working in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, National Security and the Ghana Immigration Service, conducted the swoop which led to the recovery of 38 laptops and 150 mobile phones suspected to have been used in perpetrating cyber-enabled financial crimes.
Announcing the development in a statement, Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr. Samul Nartey George, said 100 suspects were arrested in Tabora while 41 others were picked up in Lashibi.
He disclosed that a Ghanaian landlord who allegedly accommodated about 100 of the suspects in his house was also taken into custody.
“Landlords have a duty to ensure that their premises are not used to facilitate or perpetuate crime,” George said, stressing that forensic analysis of the seized devices was underway.
According to him, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are believed to be Nigerian nationals. He added that those found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with Ghanaian law.
The minister listed the alleged offences to include:
– Mobile Money (MoMo) fraud
– Romance scams
– Sextortion
– Business Email Compromise (BEC)
– Wire fraud
George urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious digital activities, noting that cybercrime posed a growing threat to financial systems and national security.
“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 said.
The arrests mark one of the largest coordinated crackdowns on cybercrime in Ghana in recent years, underscoring the country’s determination to combat digital fraud and protect its financial ecosystem.
