• Ghana arrests 141 suspects in nationwide cybercrime crackdown
• Authorities seize laptops, phones linked to fraud and online scams
• Losses rise sharply, prompting stronger enforcement and cyber reforms

Ghanaian authorities have dismantled several cybercrime networks and arrested 141 suspects, Communications Minister Sam George said on Saturday, as the country steps up efforts to combat online fraud.

The joint operation, conducted by the Cybersecurity Authority (CSA), the Ghana Police Service, National Security, and the Ghana Immigration Service, led to the seizure of 38 laptops and 150 mobile phones allegedly used to carry out cybercrime.

The suspects, believed to be Nigerian nationals, are accused of involvement in mobile money fraud, romance scams, sextortion, business email compromise (BEC), and bank transfer fraud.

“Ghana remains welcoming to all of our friends and neighbours interested in legitimate enterprise,” the minister said in a statement posted on Facebook. “However, if you are interested in committing a cybercrime, we will find you, arrest you, and deal with you decisively according to our laws.”

Series of Coordinated Operations

The arrests follow a series of coordinated operations carried out in recent weeks.

On Dec. 24, the Cybersecurity Authority announced the arrest of 48 people in Dawhenya, in the Greater Accra Region, where authorities seized 54 laptops, 39 mobile phones, one Starlink unit, and eight MTN routers.

Some of the suspects arrested

Earlier, on Dec. 13, 32 individuals were arrested in the Kasoa-Tuba area, with dozens of laptops and mobile phones confiscated. On Dec. 11, authorities also arrested Frederick Kumi, also known as Emmanuel Kojo Baah Obeng or Abu Trica, and two others for their alleged role in romance scams that caused an estimated $8 million in losses.

Interpol said its “Operation Sentinel,” conducted between Oct. 27 and Nov. 27, resulted in the arrest of 574 suspects and the recovery of about $3 million across 19 African countries, including Ghana.

Ghanaian authorities have also dismantled a cross-border cyber fraud network operating between Ghana and Nigeria that defrauded more than 200 victims of over $400,000. Ten suspects were arrested in Ghana, more than 100 digital devices were seized, and 30 fraudulent servers were taken offline.

Cybersecurity Framework Strengthened

Officials say the intensified crackdown reflects a sharp rise in cybercrime. Data from the Cybersecurity Authority show Ghana lost 19 million cedis, about $1.8 million, to cybercrime in the first nine months of 2025, up 17% from the same period in 2024. The country recorded 2,008 incidents in the first half of 2025 alone, compared with the full-year total for 2024.

Authorities are stepping up public awareness campaigns and enforcement efforts, urging individuals and businesses to adopt stronger cybersecurity practices. Speaking at the launch of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month on Oct. 1, President John Dramani Mahama called for greater public education, closer cooperation, and increased vigilance against cyber threats.

The government is also moving to operationalise a Cybersecurity Fund provided for under the 2020 Cybersecurity Act. The fund is intended to ensure sustainable financing for national cybersecurity initiatives and the protection of critical infrastructure. A Joint Cybersecurity Committee has recently been established to strengthen cooperation with international security agencies.

Ghana is among the first 21 African countries to sign the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi last October. The framework aims to enhance international cooperation, technical assistance, and capacity building, particularly for developing countries.

The International Telecommunication Union ranks Ghana among the world’s leading performers on cybersecurity. The country scored a perfect 20 out of 20 in four pillars of the Global Cybersecurity Index, legal, technical, organisational, and cooperative measures. The ITU noted, however, that Ghana still needs to improve in capacity development, where it scored 19.27.

Isaac K. Kassouwi