FBI reveals 28 arrests in Nigeria, Ghana and removal of 3.7 million accounts, pages in scam crackdown

The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest of 28 suspected cybercriminals in Nigeria and Ghana following coordinated operations targeting international fraud networks allegedly defrauding Americans.

According to SaharaReporters, the crackdown, conducted under Operation Blackout, resulted in the seizure of more than 350 electronic devices and the identification of over $11 million in potentially recoverable funds.

The FBI disclosed that 19 suspects were arrested or detained in Ghana, while nine others were arrested in Nigeria and are expected to face prosecution under Nigerian law.

Working with Meta, authorities also removed more than 3.7 million scam-linked Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages and groups.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the operation formed part of an intensified international campaign against criminal networks targeting Americans, particularly elderly and vulnerable individuals.

Investigators also identified more than 120 suspected trafficking victims allegedly forced to participate in online fraud operations.

However, Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority disputed suggestions that the FBI independently led an earlier raid, insisting Ghanaian agencies planned and coordinated the exercise with international assistance.

The bureau said its broader anti-fraud operations had helped prevent approximately $670 million in potential losses by warning more than 10,000 Americans.

It also reported seizures worth approximately $17 billion globally.

“To the criminals stealing Americans’ hard-earned money: Your borders won’t protect you. Your compounds won’t hide you,” the FBI warned.

Authorities said international cooperation would continue to dismantle scam compounds, financial networks and trafficking operations supporting cybercrime across borders.