Cybersecurity

Rescue Operation in Ghana

On Thu, Oct 23, 2023, Ghanaian authorities announced the rescue of 57 Nigerian nationals who were victims of a human trafficking and cybercrime operation. The operation led to the arrest of five individuals suspected of running the illicit activities.

Details of the Raid

The police conducted a raid on Wed, Oct 22, 2023, in a suburb of Accra. During the operation, 77 laptops, 38 mobile phones, two vehicles, three television sets, and other internet-enabled devices were confiscated. The victims, aged between 18 and 26 years, were reportedly coerced into participating in online romance scams.

Methods of Operation

The suspects allegedly promised their victims lucrative employment opportunities in Ghana. Upon arrival, the victims were forced into fraudulent online activities.

Support for Victims

The rescued individuals are currently receiving necessary care and support. There is no specified timeline for their repatriation to Nigeria.

Context and Statistics

Human trafficking for online scams and prostitution remains a significant issue in Ghana, despite ongoing enforcement efforts. The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection reported 79 prosecutions and 54 convictions related to human trafficking between 2023 and 2024.

Broader Law Enforcement Efforts

In a related effort, Interpol coordinated a cybercrime crackdown across 14 African countries, resulting in 260 arrests for involvement in online romance and extortion scams. These scams affected over 1,400 victims and resulted in losses of nearly $2.8 million. In Ghana alone, 68 suspects were apprehended for their participation in romance and sextortion schemes.