Ghana, FBI Arrest 130 Suspects in $10m Internet Fraud Crackdown
Ghanaian authorities and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have arrested 130 people over alleged internet fraud schemes linked to more than $10 million in losses.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrests on Thursday, saying the operation targeted online scams that affected 89 victims, although their nationalities were not disclosed.
Patel shared a photograph of American agents alongside Ghanaian authorities, describing the operation as another major action against internet fraud networks operating from Ghana.
The arrests formed part of Operation Blackout, an FBI initiative targeting organised online scam networks accused of defrauding victims through coordinated internet schemes.
Patel said some of those arrested were trafficking victims allegedly forced to work inside the scam compounds, highlighting the human trafficking concerns associated with such operations.
According to Patel, the operation has helped seize $17 billion worldwide and enabled authorities to warn more than 10,000 Americans about potential scams.
Scam compounds often operate from large houses or apartment complexes, where organised groups target individuals across different countries through various online fraud schemes.
The crackdown follows an Interpol operation announced in February, which resulted in 651 arrests across 16 African countries over investment scams, mobile money fraud and fraudulent mobile loan applications.
Interpol said the victims in that operation were predominantly African, underscoring the widespread impact of organised online fraud across the continent.
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