EFCC, US, UK agencies bust cyberfraud rings, 120 Nigerians repatriated

Nigerian, American and British law enforcement agencies have disrupted major cybercrime networks operating across West Africa, arresting 28 suspects and identifying 117 trafficking victims in Ghana.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, as reported by PM News, the coordinated “Joint Disruption Week,” conducted from October 6, involved intelligence sharing, arrests and the removal of more than 3.7 million fraudulent social media accounts.

Authorities arrested nine suspects in Nigeria and 19 in Ghana, where 303 electronic devices were seized.

Britain’s National Crime Agency said the Nigerian arrests occurred across Delta State, with six laptops, 35 mobile phones and 12 routers recovered.

Ghanaian authorities also identified 117 trafficking victims pending repatriation to Nigeria.

“I am especially grateful to the courageous law enforcement officers in Ghana and Nigeria,” Assistant U.S. Attorney General Tysen Duva said.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro added that “transnational fraud demands a transnational response”.

Investigators also identified about $11 million in potentially freezable funds linked to suspected fraud networks during the international crackdown operation.