Ghanaian security forces have launched a significant strike against organised cybercrime, resulting in the detention of 141 individuals, the majority of whom are reported to be Nigerian nationals. The coordinated operation took place on December 27, 2025, targeting specific areas in the Greater Accra Region.
Intelligence-Led Raids in Accra Suburbs
The operation was a joint effort spearheaded by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) alongside the Ghana Police Service, National Security, and the Ghana Immigration Service. Acting on gathered intelligence, raids were concentrated in the suburbs of Tabora and Lashibi, identified as active hubs for cybercrime networks.
Samuel Nartey George, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, provided the breakdown: 100 suspects were apprehended in Tabora, while another 41 were detained in Lashibi. He stated that surveillance operations confirmed these communities were being used as bases for coordinated illegal online activities.
Landlords Implicated in Housing Crime Networks
A key discovery from the operation was the involvement of local property owners. Investigators disclosed that a Ghanaian landlord was taken into custody for allegedly providing accommodation to about 100 of the suspects in Tabora. Authorities believe the property was used as an operational base for scams including mobile money fraud and business email compromise (BEC).
Security officials seized a trove of digital evidence during the raids, including 38 laptops and roughly 150 mobile phones. These devices are currently undergoing forensic analysis to trace criminal activities and gather evidence for prosecution.
A senior security source emphasized that the crackdown is targeting the entire ecosystem enabling these crimes. "We are not only dealing with individuals but with systems that enable them," the source noted, confirming that investigations will extend to landlords and property managers suspected of knowingly facilitating cybercrime.
Prosecutions to Follow Forensic Analysis
The Cyber Security Authority has made it clear that legal action will be taken once the forensic examinations are concluded. The agency issued a firm statement, declaring, "All suspects found culpable will be prosecuted in line with Ghanaian law."
This large-scale operation underscores the growing regional concern over transnational cybercrime networks and their exploitation of residential areas to conceal illicit operations. It also highlights increased cooperation between Ghana's various security and digital agencies in combating sophisticated online fraud.
