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Ghana authorities dispute FBI leadership in cybercrime crackdown
A dispute has emerged between Ghanaian authorities and the FBI regarding the leadership of a major cybercrime crackdown in Ghana. FBI Director Kash Patel announced that the bureau dismantled a scam operation in Ghana as part of its global “Operation Blackout” initiative. According to the FBI, the operation identified nearly $10 million in financial losses, 89 victims, and resulted in the arrest or detention of over 130 individuals and the seizure of more than 300 electronic devices.
However, Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA) issued a statement clarifying that the operation, also known as “Operation Cyber Hunt,” was planned, coordinated, and executed by Ghanaian authorities within the country’s legal frameworks. The CSA emphasized that while the FBI and the UK’s National Crime Agency provided intelligence support, the operation was not conducted under foreign operational command.
Ghanaian Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, also challenged the FBI’s portrayal of the event. He stated that framing the operation as an FBI-led action undermines the potential for future international collaboration. The CSA and Minister George both maintained that the success of the mission was a result of transnational cooperation led by Ghanaian law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Entities
Cyber Security Authority · FBI · Federal Bureau of Investigation · Ghana · Kash Patel · Operation Blackout · Sam George
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Over 300 electronic devices were seized during the crackdown. opemsuo.com · spiceradiong.com · www.myjoyonline.com · punchng.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The wider Operation Blackout campaign has resulted in approximately $17 billion in seized funds globally. opemsuo.com · spiceradiong.com · www.myjoyonline.com · punchng.com
- [DISPUTED] The operation was supported by the UK National Crime Agency, the FBI, and Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. kastlefmonline.com · www.pulse.com.gh
- [DISPUTED] The Ghana Cyber Security Authority (CSA) led and coordinated the operation, also known as Operation Cyber Hunt. kastlefmonline.com · www.pulse.com.gh
- [● 4 SOURCES] More than 130 individuals were arrested or detained during the operation, including suspected victims of human trafficking. opemsuo.com · spiceradiong.com · www.myjoyonline.com · punchng.com
- [DISPUTED] Ghanaian Minister Sam George stated that Ghanaian law enforcement and intelligence led the operations, rather than the FBI acting alone. nationalcybersecurity.com · www.mynewsgh.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Ghana operation identified nearly $10 million in financial losses and 89 victims. opemsuo.com · spiceradiong.com · www.myjoyonline.com · punchng.com
- [DISPUTED] The Ghana operation is part of the FBI’s global Operation Blackout initiative targeting transnational fraud networks. opemsuo.com · spiceradiong.com · www.myjoyonline.com · punchng.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Ghana operation identified nearly $10 million in losses and 89 victims. opemsuo.com · spiceradiong.com · www.myjoyonline.com · punchng.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) led and coordinated the operation, which was also known as Operation Cyber Hunt. kastlefmonline.com · www.pulse.com.gh
- [● 4 SOURCES] The global Operation Blackout campaign has resulted in approximately $17 billion in seized funds. opemsuo.com · spiceradiong.com · www.myjoyonline.com · punchng.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ghanaian Minister Sam George stated that the FBI's portrayal of the operation as a solo effort undermines future cooperation. nationalcybersecurity.com · www.mynewsgh.com