The Ghana Police Service has apprehended three Nigerian citizens in connection with a sophisticated SIM box fraud operation at the Sakumono Ramsar Site in Accra. This arrest marks a significant step in the ongoing battle against telecom-related financial crimes in the region.
Details of the Arrest and Suspects
The suspects, identified as Timileyin Fakunle (30 years old), Begun Adedeji (3 years old), and Olamide Roheemot (28 years old), were taken into custody on Friday, January 23, 2026. The operation was conducted by the Accra Regional Police Command, which targeted a criminal syndicate engaged in illegal telecommunications activities.
Operation and Seized Equipment
During the raid, police officers recovered a substantial amount of equipment used in the fraudulent scheme. The seized items include:
- SIM box machines capable of handling hundreds of SIM cards simultaneously
- VoIP gateway devices for routing calls
- Numerous registered and unregistered SIM cards from various Ghanaian mobile networks
- Laptops and routers used to manage the illegal operations
- High-gain antennas to boost signal strength
- Backup power systems to ensure uninterrupted service
The syndicate was allegedly using this equipment to route international calls as local ones, thereby bypassing legitimate telecom charges and causing significant revenue losses to mobile network operators in Ghana.
Ongoing Investigation and Manhunt
The crackdown on this fraudulent network is continuing, with authorities actively searching for three additional suspects who remain at large. These individuals are:
- Mike, whose full identity is yet to be confirmed
- Kpalumi, also wanted in connection with the scheme
- A Chinese national identified as Tomy, believed to be a key financier and provider of the sophisticated hardware used in the operation
Police sources indicate that Tomy's involvement suggests international dimensions to the criminal enterprise, highlighting the cross-border nature of modern telecom fraud.
Broader Context and Collaborative Efforts
This arrest forms part of intensified efforts by the Ghana Police Service to combat telecom-related fraud and cyber-enabled crimes across the country. The operation demonstrates effective collaboration between law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities in addressing sophisticated financial crimes that threaten national revenue and telecommunications infrastructure.
The Ghanaian authorities have emphasized their commitment to pursuing all individuals involved in such schemes, regardless of nationality, as part of broader regional security initiatives. This case underscores the growing challenge of cybercrime in West Africa and the need for continued vigilance and international cooperation in law enforcement efforts.
