Cyberfraud Crackdown Leads to 28 Arrests, Identifies 117 Trafficking Victims

By Atlantic Reports

An international operation targeting cyberfraud networks in West Africa has led to 28 arrests and the identification of 117 trafficking victims in Ghana, according to the United States Department of Justice.

The department announced the results on Tuesday evening, saying the October 6–9 operation involved intelligence sharing, coordinated arrests and cooperation with technology companies.

Nine suspects were arrested in Nigeria and 19 in Ghana. Those arrested remain suspects, and the allegations against them have not been established in court.

Devices Seized in Delta and Near Accra

Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said the Nigerian arrests took place across Delta State, where investigators seized six laptops, 35 mobile phones and 12 routers.

In Ghana, authorities arrested 19 suspects in Sasaabi, near Accra, and seized 303 electronic devices suspected of being linked to fraudulent activities.

Investigators identified 117 trafficking victims at the Ghanaian locations. Authorities said arrangements were underway for their repatriation to Nigeria.

The account did not specify their ages, circumstances of recruitment or the support being provided before their return. Their identification as trafficking victims is distinct from the arrests of alleged organisers and participants.

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre were among the agencies involved.

Millions of Accounts Removed

The Justice Department said participating technology companies removed more than 3.7 million fraudulent accounts, pages and groups targeting people in several countries.

It said the companies also supplied intelligence on more than 30 suspected scam centres, supporting arrests, cryptocurrency seizures and the identification of trafficking victims.

The account did not establish how many of those online accounts were directly connected to the locations raided in Nigeria and Ghana.

Investigators also identified approximately $11 million in potentially freezable funds linked to suspected fraud. That figure represents funds identified for possible action, rather than money confirmed as recovered or permanently confiscated.

The schemes under investigation included cryptocurrency investment fraud, impersonation of law enforcement officers and online extortion.

Trafficking Alongside Financial Crime

The NCA said earlier operations in Ghana had identified suspected trafficking victims who appeared to have been coerced into criminal activity.

That finding highlights the need for investigators to distinguish those directing fraud from people subjected to exploitation or coercion.

Assistant U.S. Attorney General Tysen Duva praised Nigerian and Ghanaian officers and said cooperation between investigators and technology companies had helped identify suspects and protect victims.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who leads the Scam Center Strike Force in Washington, said “transnational fraud demands a transnational response”.

The Justice Department pledged continued investigations into cyberfraud and related trafficking offences.

For the identified victims, the immediate priorities extend beyond repatriation to protection and support for recovery. Further investigations and court proceedings will determine individual responsibility, while the reported financial findings will require additional action before they become recoveries.

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