A Ghanaian landlord has been arrested for allegedly accommodating suspected cybercriminals, following a coordinated security operation that led to the arrest of 141 people linked to Mobile Money fraud and Business Email Compromise scams in Accra’s Tabora and Lashibi communities.
The operation was carried out by the Cyber Security Authority in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, National Security and the Ghana Immigration Service Headquarters, according to a Facebook post by Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations.
Making the landlord arrest a focal point of the enforcement action, the Minister said security agencies detained a property owner who housed 100 of the suspects in a single residence, stressing that landlords have a duty to ensure their premises are not used to facilitate criminal activities.
The intelligence-led early-morning operation resulted in the arrest of 100 suspects in Tabora and 41 in Lashibi, bringing the total number of arrests to 141. Preliminary investigations according to the minister indicate that the suspects are believed to be Nigerian nationals.
Security operatives also recovered 38 laptops and 150 mobile phones suspected to have been used in the commission of cyber-enabled financial crimes.
According to the Minister’s post, the suspects are alleged to have been involved in a range of offences, including Mobile Money fraud, romance scams, sextortion, Business Email Compromise and wire fraud. Forensic analysis of the seized electronic devices is currently underway, and individuals found to be culpable will be processed in accordance with Ghanaian law.
The Minister urged the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious digital activity, noting that public cooperation remains central to national efforts to combat cybercrime.
“Ghana remains welcoming to all of our friends and neighbours interested in legitimate enterprise. However, if you are interested in committing a cybercrime, we will find you, arrest you, and deal with you decisively according to our laws.”
