# West African cybercrime enforcement actions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/west-african-cybercrime-enforcement-actions
> Updated: 2026-10-24T13:23:21.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 4.

Law enforcement agencies in Niger, Ghana, and Nigeria have conducted operations targeting various cybercriminal activities. In Niger, the Judicial Police (DPJ) dismantled three distinct networks during September 2026. These cases included an individual accused of identity theft and extortion via social media, a fraud scheme involving the alleged multiplication of banknotes resulting in losses over 25 million CFA francs, and a group of individuals, including former telecom employees, who illegally accessed customer accounts to steal communication credits. In Ghana, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has arrested approximately 10 suspected kingpins linked to scam centre operations. This crackdown coincided with an international operation that rescued 105 Nigerians from cybercrime syndicates. Additionally, police in the Bono Region arrested eight suspects for allegedly assaulting a man during a violent initiation ritual into an internet fraud operation. In mid-October 2026, enforcement efforts intensified through a coordinated “Joint Disruption Week” hosted by the UK’s National Crime Agency. This international initiative involved agencies from the US, UK, Ghana, Nigeria, Australia, Canada, India, and New Zealand, alongside INTERPOL and major technology companies. The operation resulted in approximately 28 arrests across Ghana and Nigeria and the removal of more than 3.7 million fraudulent social media accounts and groups. In Ghana alone, authorities arrested 19 individuals and seized 303 electronic devices, uncovering US$8.3 million in losses suffered by 89 victims. The crackdown identified 117 suspected human trafficking victims awaiting repatriation to Nigeria and over US$11 million in potentially recoverable funds. Following these efforts, Nigerian authorities expanded their crackdown under INTERPOL-coordinated Operation Serengeti III. This included the arrest of two suspects involved in a phishing operation that harvested 2.1 million email addresses and an international investment fraud scheme involving over $2.4 million in suspected criminal proceeds.

## Claims

- 105 Nigerians were repatriated to Nigeria following a rescue operation against cybercrime syndicates in Ghana. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- General Sergeant Mathew Aboase was arrested following a shooting at Ritz Junction. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The shooting occurred during a confrontation between the officer and Ritz Junction Taxi Drivers Union members. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Two people, Doe Asinyo and Gifty Nyimahen, sustained gunshot wounds during the incident. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Eight suspects were arrested in the Bono Region for allegedly assaulting a 21-year-old man during an internet fraud initiation. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- An alleged fraud group used images of foreign military personnel to deceive victims and solicit money. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- More than 10 suspected kingpins of scam centre operations in Ghana have been arrested and remanded. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Authorities seized mobile phones and laptops for forensic examination to map criminal networks. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-24: Nigerian authorities arrest suspects in multi-million dollar cybercrime operations

Nigerian police and INTERPOL have arrested multiple suspects linked to transnational cybercrime operations involving phishing, investment fraud, and money laundering totaling millions of dollars.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nigerian-authorities-arrest-suspects-in-multi-million-dollar-cybercrime-operations

### 2026-10-15: International law enforcement crackdown targets West African cybercrime networks

A coordinated international crackdown on West African cybercrime networks led to 28 arrests and the removal of 3.7 million fraudulent social media accounts.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/international-law-enforcement-crackdown-targets-west-african-cybercrime-networks

### 2026-10-11: Ghana law enforcement conducts major arrests in shooting and cybercrime operations

Ghanaian authorities have arrested a police officer for a shooting in Accra, detained over 10 cybercrime kingpins, and repatriated 105 Nigerians rescued from local fraud syndicates.

19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ghana-police-arrest-eight-for-assault-during-fraud-ring-initiation

### 2026-10-07: Niger police dismantle three cybercrime networks

Niger's Judicial Police dismantled three cybercrime networks involved in sextortion, banknote multiplication scams, and the theft of Niger Télécom communication credits.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/niger-police-dismantle-three-cybercrime-networks

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Cite as: West African cybercrime enforcement actions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/west-african-cybercrime-enforcement-actions
