The Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Sam Nartey George, has announced the arrest of 141 individuals suspected of involvement in various fraud-related activities following a coordinated security operation.
In a Facebook post on December 27, the Minister said the intelligence-led operation was carried out jointly by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), the Ghana Police Service, National Security, and the Ghana Immigration Service.
According to him, the early-morning operation targeted organised cybercrime networks engaged in Mobile Money (MoMo) fraud and Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams.
“This morning, the Cyber Security Authority Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, National Security, and the Ghana Immigration Service HQ, conducted a coordinated early-morning operation targeting organised cybercrime networks involved in Mobile Money (MoMo) fraud and Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams,” he stated.
The operation was conducted in Tabora and Lashibi. A total of 100 suspects were arrested in Tabora, while 41 were apprehended in Lashibi, bringing the total number of arrests to 141.
Preliminary investigations, according to the Minister, indicate that the suspects are believed to be Nigerian nationals. Security agencies also retrieved 38 laptops and 150 mobile phones, which are suspected to have been used in carrying out cyber-enabled financial crimes.
In addition, a Ghanaian landlord who allegedly accommodated 100 of the suspects in his residence was also arrested.
“Landlords have a duty to ensure that their premises are not used to facilitate or perpetuate crime,” the Minister cautioned.
The suspects are alleged to have been involved in several criminal activities, including:
-Mobile Money (MoMo) fraud
-Romance scams
-Sextortion
-Business Email Compromise (BEC)
-Wire fraud
Sam George urged the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious digital activities, and support national efforts to combat cybercrime.
“Ghana remains welcoming to all 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 warned.
