More than 150 foreign nationals have been apprehended across Ghana in a massive, months-long operation targeting cyber fraud and human trafficking networks. The nationwide crackdown, carried out jointly by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), marks a significant step in protecting Ghana’s digital landscape from criminal exploitation.
According to officials, the arrests—spanning the last four months—were part of intensified national efforts to disrupt cyber-enabled criminal syndicates that prey on unsuspecting individuals through online scams and fraudulent job offers.
Speaking at the National Cyber Security Awareness Engagement held in collaboration with the GIS, Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti, Director-General of the CSA, urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant online.
“The internet provides countless opportunities, but it is also being exploited by fraudsters to deceive innocent citizens,” Mr. Agbeti cautioned. “We advise everyone to double-check information before engaging in any online job offer or financial transaction.”
He revealed that investigations uncovered a worrying rise in schemes where victims—mostly young people—are lured with fake online job postings and later trafficked to participate in illicit online operations.
Securing Ghana’s Borders in the Digital Era
Addressing participants, Mr. Loud Ofori Affrifa, Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration (Operations and Command Post), reiterated the GIS’s dedication to defending Ghana’s borders—both physical and digital.
“Modern national security extends beyond land, sea, and air. Criminals now exploit cyberspace to conduct cross-border crimes,” Mr. Affrifa stated.
Under the theme “Securing Ghana’s Borders in the Digital Age,” he emphasized GIS’s expanding role in fighting digital threats such as trafficking, smuggling, and money laundering.
Mr. Affrifa also highlighted the Service’s technological advancements, including the Personal Identification and Secure Evaluation System (PISES), Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), and Border Permit Management System—tools enhancing operational accuracy and intelligence sharing.
Additionally, the GIS has launched a Cybersecurity Unit with assistance from the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) to build internal resilience and strengthen its digital defense capabilities.
Human Trafficking Through Online Deception
Mr. Peter Philip Andor, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (Legal), shed light on the growing link between cyber fraud and irregular migration.
“We are observing a troubling connection between cybercrime and human trafficking. Many victims are misled through fake online job offers or deceptive social media messages,” he explained.
He encouraged the public to report suspicious activities involving foreigners or unusual online behavior to local authorities, noting that citizen alertness plays a crucial role in combating cyber threats.
Strengthening Ghana’s Cyber Resilience
Ghana continues to record significant financial losses from cybercrime, including romance scams, investment fraud, phishing, and identity theft—often orchestrated by sophisticated international networks.
The National Cyber Security Awareness Month, observed every October, serves as a platform to promote collaboration among public agencies, private organizations, and citizens to foster a safer digital environment.
Mr. Agbeti reaffirmed the CSA’s dedication to supporting law enforcement in dismantling cybercrime networks.
“We remain committed to working closely with the Police, Immigration Service, and international partners to ensure Ghana’s digital ecosystem remains secure and resilient,” he assured.
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