Omanghana
The raid resulted in the arrest of 102 foreign nationals and the rescue of 85 people who were allegedly being held against their will and forced to participate in online fraud.
According to the GIS, the operation targeted residential properties that had reportedly been converted into a heavily secured cyber-fraud center. The raid followed weeks of surveillance prompted by community complaints, intelligence reports and distress messages from people inside the facilities.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the alleged syndicate recruited young foreign nationals, mainly from West African countries, with promises of legitimate employment or assistance with travel.
Upon arriving in Ghana, however, the victims reportedly had their passports and other travel documents confiscated. They were allegedly confined to the premises and compelled to participate in cybercrime under abusive and threatening conditions.
Investigators believe the victims were trained to operate romance scams, fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platforms and fake e-commerce transactions targeting internet users in several countries.
During a search of the facilities, immigration officers reportedly recovered hundreds of electronic and communication devices. The seized items included laptops, mobile phones, specialized internet routers and other equipment believed to have been used to create and manage fraudulent online accounts.
The devices will undergo forensic examination as investigators attempt to identify the network’s organizers, trace financial transactions and determine the number of people who may have been defrauded.
The 102 arrested individuals are undergoing screening by the GIS and other national security agencies. Investigators are working to distinguish suspected organizers and active participants from people who may also have been trafficked or coerced into the operation.
Those found to have willingly participated in the alleged syndicate could face charges relating to cybercrime, internet fraud, human trafficking and immigration violations. Some are also being investigated for suspected illegal entry into Ghana and overstaying their authorized periods of residence.
The 85 rescued individuals are receiving medical assessments and psychological assistance. Officials are also working with their respective diplomatic missions to verify their identities and arrange safe repatriation where appropriate.
Security agencies have warned landlords and property managers to properly verify the identities and immigration status of prospective foreign tenants.
Authorities said property owners who knowingly rent their buildings to criminal networks or facilitate the accommodation of undocumented migrants could face investigation and prosecution under Ghanaian law.
The GIS has appealed to the public to report suspicious activities, including large numbers of people being confined in residential buildings, unusual concentrations of computers and communication equipment, or occupants who appear unable to leave a property freely.
Investigations into the syndicate remain ongoing, with authorities seeking to identify its financiers, recruiters and possible collaborators inside and outside Ghana.
Source: Omanghana
