Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Technologies, Sam George, has announced that the Security agencies have arrested 53 Nigerian nationals and rescued 44 young men believed to be victims of a cybercrime operations.
According to Sam George, the cybercrime operations follow coordinated intelligence-led operations targeting suspected centres in Accra.
The victims were allegedly exploited and coerced by kingpins into engaging in various cyber-related criminal activities.
The operation was carried out at multiple locations, including East Legon Hills, Afienya, Kwabenya, Weija, and Tuba, where the victims were found in their apartments operating laptop computers.
The joint team made up of operatives from National Security Operations, the Cyber Security Authority, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters and the National Police SWAT carried out simultaneous raids.
During the operation, nine Nigerian nationals were arrested as suspects believed to be key actors in the cybercrime activities, along with 44 other Nigerian nationals who were rescued and considered to be victims.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of 52 assorted mobile phones, 62 laptop computers, and two pump-action guns.
According to reports, 53 Nigerian nationals were arrested across the five locations, with 17 picked up at Tuba, 11 at Afienya, 10 each at Kwabenya and Weija, and five at East Legon Hills.
The suspect has since been handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for further investigations after they have been profiled.
In related news, Sam Nartey George, the Minister for Communication and Digital Technology, has announced that some 48 suspected cybercrime operatives have been arrested.
The Communication Minister detailed that the 48 suspected cybercrime operatives were arrested after a coordinated operation in the Dawhenya area of the Ningo-Prampram constituency.
According to him, preliminary interrogation indicates the 48 suspects are believed to be Nigerian nationals, comprising 46 males and two females.
He highlighted that the suspects are linked to cyber-related criminal activities, including romance scams, online investment fraud, impersonation schemes, and illicit online gold trading.
Sam George further revealed that 54 laptops, 39 mobile phones, one Starlink internet device, and eight MTN TurboNet routers were retrieved from the suspects during the operation.
The sector minister also added that the operation was led by the Cyber Security Authority of Ghana in collaboration with the National Security and the Ghana Police Service.
Sam George, in a post on social media sharing the news, wrote, “Once again, we have struck at the heart of cybercrime operations within our beloved Homeland.
A nighttime operation led by the @CSAGhana in collaboration with the National Security and the @GhPoliceService has resulted in the arrest of 48 suspected cybercrime operatives during a coordinated intelligence-led operation in the Dawhenya area of the Ningo-Prampram Constituency.
Those arrested are believed to be Nigerian nationals, based on preliminary interrogation, comprising 46 males and two females. The suspects are linked to a range of cyber-related criminal activities, including romance scams, online investment fraud, impersonation schemes, and illicit online gold trading. Items retrieved during the operation included 54 laptops, 39 mobile phones, one Starlink internet device, and eight MTN TurboNet routers.
We are committed to carrying out intelligence-led surgical strikes against these crime syndicates to ensure that we rid our cyber ecosystem of these criminals. Ghana welcomes everyone interested in legitimate enterprise. We will remain a hostile domain for cyber criminals.
I commend the operatives who carried out this operation with the professionalism for which our security services are globally recognised. Their service is celebrated.
I wish all a merry digital Christmas and a cyber crime free new year!”, he wrote.
