The intelligence-led operation also led to the disruption of ongoing cyber fraud schemes.

In a statement released on February 12, the police said the operation was initiated on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno.

A combined team from the Special Operations Unit and personnel from the Okpoi-Gono District Headquarters, led by ASP Grace Owusua Gyan, carried out the exercise on February 2, 2026.

“Acting on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, a combined team from the Special Operations Unit and personnel from the Okpoi-Gono District Headquarters… coordinated an intelligence-led operation,” the statement said.

“The mission was focused on rescuing kidnapped victims, apprehending the suspects and disrupting ongoing cyber fraud activities.”

The suspects, identified as Robinson Endurance and Derrick Glory, were arrested at Devtraco Estate, Community 25, without resistance.

The operation led to the rescue of 10 victims who had allegedly been illegally confined and forced to engage in cybercrime-related activities. Photographs of the suspects, victims and recovered exhibits were documented for records and prosecution.

The Okpoi-Gono District Police Command assured the public that investigations are ongoing and that further updates on the prosecution of the suspects will be communicated in due course.

The operation, coordinated across January 16th and 17th, 2026, was initiated by actionable intelligence from the Cyber Security Authority (CSA).

The intel revealed that young men were allegedly being exploited and coerced into various cybercrimes by kingpins operating from residences in East Legon Hills, Afienya, Kwabenya, Weija, and Tuba.

A joint force comprising operatives from National Security, the CSA, the CID Headquarters, and the Police SWAT unit executed coordinated raids on the identified locations. During the operations, authorities made a critical distinction between suspects and potential victims.

Nine (9) individuals were arrested as suspects, while forty-four (44) others, found operating laptops in their apartments, were categorized as rescued victims believed to have been lured under false pretences. A significant cache of equipment was seized, including 62 laptop computers, 52 assorted mobile phones, and two (2) pump-action guns.

“All the arrested individuals have been duly profiled and handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for safekeeping and further investigations,” stated Communications Minister Sam George in a post on January 18th detailing the operation.

He issued a stern caution: “We caution foreign nationals invited to Ghana to verify claims made by their fellow nationals to lure them here.”

The Minister highlighted that this crackdown is part of an ongoing effort, noting that some individuals from previous operations have already been handed over to Nigerian authorities at the Seme border, while others are facing criminal prosecution in Ghanaian courts.

“Protecting Ghana’s cyber image internationally is non-negotiable,” Minister George asserted, commending the CSA and partner law enforcement agencies for their work.

The incident emerged during Operation Sentinel, a coordinated cybercrime crackdown led by INTERPOL between October 27 and November 27 across 19 African countries, targeting business email compromise, digital extortion and ransomware schemes.

According to INTERPOL, the ransomware attack on the Ghanaian institution (name withheld) resulted in the encryption of 100 terabytes of data and the theft of approximately USD 120,000, severely affecting operations and access to sensitive systems.

Ghanaian authorities responded with advanced malware analysis, which enabled investigators to identify the specific ransomware strain used in the attack. This led to the development of a decryption tool that successfully recovered nearly 30 terabytes of encrypted data, significantly reducing the damage caused.

INTERPOL said multiple suspects linked to the attack have been arrested, as investigations continue into the wider criminal network behind the breach.

The case formed part of a broader operation that led to 574 arrests across Africa and the recovery of about USD 3 million in illicit proceeds, with financial losses linked to the investigated cases estimated at more than USD 21 million.

Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Director of Cybercrime, warned of the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks across the continent, particularly against essential sectors such as finance and energy.

“The scale and sophistication of cyberattacks across Africa are accelerating, especially against critical sectors like finance and energy. The outcomes from Operation Sentinel reflect the commitment of African law enforcement agencies, working in close coordination with international partners. Their actions have successfully protected livelihoods, secured sensitive personal data and preserved critical infrastructure,” he said.

INTERPOL noted that Operation Sentinel was conducted under the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime and supported by international partners, including private sector cybersecurity firms that provided technical assistance in tracing malicious activity and freezing illicit financial assets.

The attack has renewed calls for stronger cybersecurity frameworks and continuous investment in digital resilience within Ghana’s financial system as cybercriminals increasingly target institutions holding large volumes of sensitive data.

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The revelation was made by Colonel George Eduah Bessi, Head of Law Enforcement and Liaison at the CSA, during a cybersecurity awareness webinar organised by the Africa Centre for Digital Transformation on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

Describing the situation as “alarming,” Col. Bessi revealed that Ghana recorded 2,008 cyber incidents in the first nine months of 2025, a 52% rise from 2024.

Online fraud remains the most prevalent cybercrime, accounting for 37% of reported cases. Between January and September, the CSA documented 1,200 online fraud cases, 738 instances of cyberbullying, 507 cases of online blackmail, 390 incidents of unauthorized access, and 288 cases of information disclosure. Cyberbullying alone made up 22% of reported cases, disproportionately affecting women and young people.

Col. Bessi urged both individuals and organisations to adopt stronger cybersecurity practices as the Authority ramps up regulatory enforcement and public education to curb the trend.

“We are working hard to secure our first prosecution. Currently, I’m handling about 16 high-profile romance scams, including seven cases involving the FBI and three with UK authorities,” he revealed.

He commended the Africa Centre for Digital Transformation for its continued advocacy, adding that “the rising losses highlight the urgent need for greater cybersecurity awareness across all sectors of Ghana’s digital economy.”

Source: AdomOnline

Speaking at the launch of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month and inauguration of the Joint Cyber Security Committee, he warned that financial fraud, insider crime, and hate speech would not be tolerated.

“Anybody involved in romance scams, whether you are a foreigner or a Ghanaian citizen, we will hand you over to be tried and punished accordingly,” he said.

The President revealed that some financial institution staff had been arrested for aiding cyber fraud and urged regulators to crack down on such practices.

He also cautioned against the rise of hate speech online, saying it threatens national unity.

So far this year, several Ghanaians have been extradited to the United States in partnership with the FBI over cybercrime allegations.

Meanwhile, Communications and Digitalisation Minister Samuel Nartey George announced that the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) is under review to strengthen laws.

He added that plans are underway to establish specialised cybercrime courts, with the Cybersecurity Authority and Police CID already arresting hundreds of suspects in 2025.

Source: AdomOnline

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A statement issued on Thursday, July 24, 2025, and signed by Assistant Commissioner of Immigration M. Amoako-Atta, Head of Public Affairs, confirmed the arrests and outlined the basis for the operation.

According to the GIS, the operation was based on credible intelligence concerning the illegal stay of some foreign nationals. Reports also suggested that several of them had been trafficked into the country and coerced by their facilitators into cyber fraud activities.

“The Ghana Immigration Service in the early hours of today, July 24, 2025, conducted a special operation at McCarthy Hills in the Ga South Municipality. The operation was based on intelligence gathered on the illegal stay of some foreign nationals in the area, some of whom were trafficked into the country and forced into cyber fraud by their facilitators,” the statement read.

Among those arrested was the landlord of the apartment where the alleged criminal operations were taking place. Authorities believe the property served as a base for the activities.

The GIS assured the public that investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the activities and identify all persons involved in the suspected trafficking and cybercrime network. Further updates will be provided as the probe continues.

Source:Citinews

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Their targets are vast and varied, ranging from individuals to global organizations and entire nations, with a particular focus on the lucrative financial sector.

The impact of cybercrimes is profound, leading to severe financial losses and tarnished reputations for victims.

But what is cybersecurity, and why is it so crucial in the modern age? Cybersecurity is the art of safeguarding networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access and criminal exploitation.

It involves upholding the pillars of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. What makes cybercrimes particularly alarming is their symbiotic relationship with our dependence on computers, the ever-growing desire for internet connectivity, and the expansive realm of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Threat actors have honed their focus on exploiting IoT devices, as these devices become increasingly prevalent and vulnerable to hacking.

As per Business Insider’s projections, experts anticipate a staggering 23 billion IoT devices in operation by 2024.

As this number soars, so does the attack surface for cybercriminals to exploit, threatening our daily activities, be it in communication, entertainment, transportation, shopping, medicine, or more.

The issue becomes more critical when we consider the vast amount of personal information stored on our own devices or within someone else’s systems.

One of the most financially devastating forms of cybercrime is information theft, which is on the rise at an alarming rate. Cybercriminals are continuously evolving, adapting their attack vectors based on their chosen targets.

The impact of cybercrimes is diverse, ranging from business disruption, compromised security systems, damage to critical infrastructure, data loss, intellectual property theft, and financial setbacks to regulatory fines, reputational damage, and long-term litigation costs.

A glimpse into the recent Interpol report from August 2023 reveals the gravity of the situation.

INTERPOL and AFRIPOL conducted a coordinated operation across 25 African countries, resulting in the arrest of 14 suspected cybercriminals and the identification of 20,674 suspicious cyber networks.

This highlights the surge in digital insecurity and cyber threats in the region, networks responsible for financial losses exceeded USD 40 million.

The dark web has evolved into a lucrative and user-friendly platform for cybercriminal enterprises.

The rise in computer attacks has raised concerns about the growing threat of ransomware. Cybercriminals are employing various techniques to evade endpoint protection measures, particularly those focused on executable files.

In light of this ominous landscape, security experts must raise awareness of the tactics employed by criminal actors and the tools available to protect against cyberattacks and data theft.

The financial sector, in particular, should prioritize cybersecurity by implementing antivirus software, firewalls, fraud detection, and robust website encryption to safeguard sensitive data.

In the realm of crime prevention, organizations must focus on three critical elements: people, processes, and data.

Protecting People

The most effective defense against cyberattacks involves educating employees about common cybersecurity threats.

Without proper cybersecurity awareness, employees may inadvertently cause data breaches, placing businesses at risk.

According to the SANS 2023 Security Awareness Report, human errors remain the biggest threat to an organization’s cybersecurity. Providing cybersecurity awareness training significantly reduces human errors, lowering cyber risk by up to 90%. Given the surge in cybercrimes, organizations must prioritize cybersecurity awareness training more than ever.

Protecting Processes

An organisation’s IT department should continually monitor, review, and update all processes. Employees need to understand the consequences of installing applications or software without IT department approval.

Known vulnerabilities should be closely monitored, and companies should provide secure, locked systems to prevent malicious software installations.

Protecting Data

Organizations must assert firm control over the data they handle. Recent studies show that companies often share sensitive information with over 500 third-party vendors.

To mitigate this risk, organizations should conduct an inventory of shared information and limit it to a strict need-to-know basis.

Moreover, all sensitive data, including employee information, business data, and customer information, should be encrypted. Regular backups of data stored securely outside the organization’s network are essential.

As the tide of cybercrime continues to rise, individuals and organizations face equal risks. Taking necessary precautions and adhering to essential cybersecurity practices are critical for defense.

The future of the internet remains under constant threat from evolving cyberattacks. It is essential to familiarize employees with these risks, secure networks, and utilize two-factor authentication (2FA) for digital devices.

In this digital era, the protection of our connected world is paramount. The responsibility falls on individuals, organizations, and security experts to work collectively in the relentless battle against cybercrimes.

About the writer

Gerald Sintim-Aboagye is a former British Army Official, currently serving as the Information Security Associate for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at Wells Fargo, based in London, UK. With his extensive expertise, he is dedicated to combating cyber threats and ensuring the safety of digital ecosystems.

According to a combined survey conducted by INTERPOL, reported cybercrime in the years 2013 to 2015 witnessed a staggering 132 percent increase.

During this period, businesses suffered an average annual loss of USD 2.7 million, while individuals lost around USD 422,000 each year.

However, only 30 percent of the reported cybercrimes resulted in arrests.

The survey identified two major types of threat actors operating in the region: “Yahoo boys” and “Next-Level Cybercriminals.”

During the opening of the Cybercrime Peer Exchange Programme hosted by the EFCC in Nigeria, COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah (Mrs), the Executive Director of EOCO, expressed her delight in the collaboration.

She emphasized that this partnership would significantly strengthen the fight against cybercrime in the West African Sub-Region.

Mrs. Addo-Danquah revealed, “I am excited about the EFCC’s agreement to host this program, which will serve as a powerful mechanism for sharing experiences, reinforcing best practices, identifying deficiencies, and assessing capacity-building needs. Our aim is to develop policies, standards, and practices that will lead to effective crime-fighting and crime-prevention strategies in the West African sub-region.”

Mr. Abdulkarim Chukkol, the Acting Executive Chairman of the EFCC, commended EOCO for its long-standing collaboration in combating economic and financial crimes and upholding justice and integrity.

He stressed the value of fostering strong partnerships and cooperation among law enforcement agencies globally.

The Regional Peer Exchange, supported by GIZ Governance for Inclusive Development Programme co-funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, aims to strengthen structures and systems in the fight against Serious and Organised Crime.

As part of this goal, the exchange between EOCO and EFCC was organized to enhance regional cooperation in combating cybercrime and other serious organized crimes.

The exchange program provides an opportunity for both institutions to share best practices, discuss existing challenges related to regional cooperation mechanisms, and explore effective strategies for tackling cybercrime and other serious organized crimes.

Participants at the program include 14 staff members from EOCO, two representatives from the Ghana Police Service, and four individuals from GIZ.

The accused, believed to be Nigerians, were arrested last Saturday after they had allegedly duped unsuspecting people of various sums of money.

The accused persons are facing three counts of obtaining electronic medium falsely, possession of illegal devices and failing to comply with the imposition of a ban on travel into the country.

They are Emmanuel Ogunoyibo, 24; Emmanuel Ukoh, 21; Chigozirim Adindo, 24; Rex Chigozie, 23; Anthony Chukwuma, 25, and Chukwu Chinonso, 22.

Others are Simon Daniel Tochukwu, 23; Dickson, 29; Uwazie Christogonus, 22; Joshua Chigozie, 21; Anthony Chukwuma, 28, and Bright Chiadighikaobi, 35.

The rest are Henry I Dey With You, 25; Wisdom Ejmadu, 25; Ekene Okoro, 26; Victor Ejike, 26; Peter Emeka, 20, and Abana Udochukwu, 25.

Their pleas were not taken and they were remanded in police custody to reappear today.

Prosecution case

According to the prosecutor, Superintendent Mr R.A. Boateng, the 18 Nigerians claimed they entered the country somewhere in April this year through unapproved routes at the time the borders had been closed due to the COVID -19 pandemic.

He said upon their entry, they travelled to Wa where they rented two houses at Dobile, a suburb of Wa, from where they operated their cybercrime activities.

Upon intelligence gathered, a team of security personnel swooped on the two houses in the early hours of Saturday to arrest them.

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During the search conducted in their rooms, the police retrieved items including 22 laptop computers and their accessories, 11 mobile phones and a camera which were believed to be used to commit the crime.