Security agencies arrest 48 suspected cybercriminals in night raid at Dawhenya

The Cyber Security Authority of Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service and National Security, has arrested forty-eight suspected cybercriminals during a coordinated nighttime operation in Dawhenya, within the Ningo-Prampram Constituency.

The intelligence-led operation, carried out in the early hours of the raid, was made public on December 24 by the Minister for Communications, Sam George, who said the action forms part of sustained efforts to dismantle organised cybercrime networks operating in the country.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are believed to be Nigerian nationals, made up of forty-six males and two females.

They are suspected to be involved in various cyber-related crimes, including romance scams, online investment fraud, impersonation schemes, and illegal online gold trading.

During the operation, security personnel retrieved several items believed to have been used in the commission of the crimes.

These included fifty-four laptops, thirty-nine mobile phones, one Starlink internet device, and eight MTN TurboNet routers. The seized equipment is expected to play a key role in ongoing investigations.

Sam George reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations against cybercrime syndicates, emphasising that while Ghana remains open to legitimate business and innovation, it will not tolerate criminal activity in the digital space.

“We are committed to carrying out intelligence-led surgical strikes against these crime syndicates to ensure that we rid our cyber ecosystem of these criminals. Ghana welcomes everyone interested in legitimate enterprise. We will remain a hostile domain for cyber criminals,” he said.

The Communications Minister also commended the professionalism of the security agencies involved, noting that their conduct reflects the high standards for which Ghana’s security services are internationally recognised.

“I commend the operatives who carried out this operation with the professionalism for which our security services are globally recognised. Their service is celebrated,” he added.

He concluded by extending festive greetings to the public and expressed optimism that continued enforcement efforts will help ensure a safer digital environment in the year ahead.

The arrests are part of broader national measures aimed at protecting Ghana’s digital ecosystem and strengthening public confidence in online transactions and services.