The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest and detention of more than 130 people in Ghana as part of a major crackdown on an alleged international scam-centre network targeting American citizens. FBI Director, Kash Patel, disclosed this on Thursday in a post on his X account while providing an update on “Operation Blackout”, a global campaign aimed at dismantling scam centres and disrupting the criminal networks operating them.
The operation uncovered nearly $10 million in losses involving 89 victims and led to the seizure of more than 300 devices. Some of those detained were identified as trafficking victims and are expected to be repatriated to their home countries. The FBI says its wider Operation Blackout has seized about $17 billion, rescued thousands of trafficked workers and prevented $670 million in losses.
According to the FBI director, more than 130 individuals had been arrested or detained in connection with the operation. He, however, clarified that those detained did not all appear to be members of the alleged criminal network, as some had been identified as victims who were expected to be repatriated to their respective home countries.
The alleged scam compounds, according to the FBI, targeted American citizens as part of an international fraud operation designed to extract money from victims. The Ghana operation forms part of the FBI’s broader efforts to dismantle scam centres operating across international borders and to identify the individuals and organisations responsible for orchestrating fraudulent schemes.
Patel also disclosed fresh figures on the cumulative impact of Operation Blackout, saying about $17 billion had been seized since the campaign began. He said the global operation had also led to the arrest of hundreds of alleged scammers and the rescue of thousands of trafficked workers who were being forced or coerced into participating in fraudulent activities.
The FBI director said the campaign had also helped prevent significant financial losses by alerting potential victims before they transferred money to fraudsters. According to him, more than 10,000 Americans had been warned before losing their money, while an estimated $670 million in losses had been prevented.
Patel said the investigation into the Ghana operation remained active, with authorities expected to establish the full extent of the network, identify additional suspects and trace the financial proceeds connected to the alleged scams. He promised that the FBI would release more information as the investigation progresses.
Key points
- The FBI arrested over 130 people in Ghana as part of Operation Blackout.
- The operation seized nearly $10 million in losses and over 300 devices.
- Operation Blackout has cumulatively seized $17 billion and prevented $670 million in losses.
