Ghanaian authorities have arrested 93 Nigerian nationals over alleged involvement in internet fraud and immigration violations, as the West African nation intensifies its crackdown on cross-border cybercrime networks.
The arrests followed an intelligence-led raid by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) on six houses in Devtraco Estate in Accra believed to be operating as a hub for online fraud.
In a statement issued on Monday, GIS spokesperson Maud Anima Quainoo said the suspects comprised 91 men and two women and were arrested during a coordinated operation targeting a suspected cybercrime ring.
“This operation targeted six houses at Devtraco Estate where officers rescued 73 victims who had reportedly endured severe abuse and torture at the hands of the suspects,” said Quainoo.
Authorities said the victims were later repatriated to Nigeria.
Investigators recovered equipment suggesting a well-organised cybercrime enterprise. Items seized included 82 laptops, 57 mobile phones, 17 television sets, counterfeit US dollar notes and fake gold bars, along with household appliances believed to have supported the group’s operations.
Preliminary investigations indicate that some suspects entered Ghana through unauthorised border crossings, while others allegedly overstayed the 90-day visa-free entry period available to citizens of Economic Community of West African States countries.
The arrests are the latest in a growing list of cybercrime crackdowns in Ghana, highlighting the country’s struggle to contain increasingly sophisticated digital fraud operations.
In January, Ghanaian authorities arrested 53 Nigerians suspected of cybercrime and rescued 44 individuals believed to have been forced into online scam operations. In December, separate raids in Greater Accra led to the arrest of dozens of suspects linked to internet fraud syndicates.
Ghana has become a target for criminal networks running schemes such as romance scams, sextortion, online investment fraud, impersonation and mobile money scams. Victims are often recruited through fake job offers or promises of overseas opportunities before being forced to operate scam accounts targeting victims in Europe, North America and Asia.
Authorities have also uncovered cases involving digital gold trading scams, where fraudsters lure victims with fake mining investments or counterfeit gold deals.
The presence of high-speed internet equipment, including routers and satellite connectivity tools in previous raids, has further highlighted how cybercrime syndicates are leveraging advanced technology to expand operations.
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