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West African cybercrime enforcement actions

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-16 21:04 UTC → 2026-10-24 15:41 UTC · added removed

Law enforcement agencies in Niger Niger, Ghana, and Ghana 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, specifically targeting investment 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 impersonation an international investment fraud networks. scheme involving over $2.4 million in suspected criminal proceeds.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-24 15:41 UTC West African cybercrime enforcement actions
  2. 2026-10-16 21:04 UTC West African cybercrime enforcement actions
  3. 2026-10-12 21:21 UTC West African cybercrime enforcement actions

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