Ghana Police CID Dismantles Transnational Cybercrime and Human Trafficking Syndicates in Massive Greater Accra Raids

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has successfully dismantled a major network of cyber-enabled fraud and human trafficking following a series of coordinated operations across the Greater Accra Region. Led by the Director-General of CID, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, the intelligence-led raids in Tema, Afienya, and Kwabenya resulted in the rescue of 37 Nigerian nationals and the arrest of 26 suspects. These operations highlight an alarming trend where victims are often trafficked across borders under false pretenses only to be coerced into committing internet-based crimes under the control of criminal kingpins.

In Tema’s Fafa Community, a significant breakthrough occurred when 11 individuals were taken into custody. While six were confirmed as victims of trafficking, police discovered that two individuals initially thought to be victims—34-year-old Godstine Terry and 21-year-old Wilson Makuo—were actually coordinating the syndicate's fraudulent activities. A manhunt is currently underway for another high-level suspect known as Jerry. Parallel to this, a raid at Mataheko in Afienya led to the arrest of 10 suspects, including Collins Francis Olayi Ojo, who is alleged to have orchestrated the travel and subsequent forced labor of nine Nigerian nationals. During this specific operation, police seized 28 laptops and nine mobile phones used for fraudulent transactions.

The scope of the network extended to Kwabenya, where police rescued an additional 22 young Nigerian nationals being held against their will. Five suspects were apprehended at this location for their roles in the confinement and exploitation of the victims. Across all sites, forensic investigators have recovered dozens of electronic devices, which are currently undergoing digital examination to uncover the full extent of the syndicate's international reach and identify further collaborators. The suspects have since been presented before the Circuit Court and remanded into police custody as investigations continue.

COP Lydia Yaako Donkor has reaffirmed the Ghana Police Service's commitment to eradicating human trafficking and cybercrime, which pose significant threats to national security and international reputation. She urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious residential activities, particularly where large groups of young people are confined in single locations with high-end electronic equipment. These successful operations mark a critical step in Ghana's broader initiative to tackle transnational organized crime and provide justice for the victims of these predatory networks.