Who led Ghana's scam raid? The FBI and Ghana's CSA tell it differently
The FBI says Operation Blackout delivered results in Ghana. Ghana's Cyber Security Authority says Ghanaian officers led it.
By Ernest · 12 October 2026
On 11 October the FBI director, Kash Patel, posted that Operation Blackout, the FBI's global crackdown on scam centres, has seized roughly $17 billion, arrested hundreds of alleged scammers, freed thousands of trafficked workers and warned more than 10,000 Americans before they lost money. He estimated $670 million in losses prevented. He said the campaign "continues to deliver outstanding results in Ghana." [1][2]
Those are the FBI's own figures. The bureau has not given a breakdown of the seized assets. [3]
What happened in Ghana
Days earlier, Patel announced the Ghana part: more than 130 people arrested or detained, 89 victims identified, nearly $10 million in losses and more than 300 devices seized. The detained included suspected trafficking victims expected to be sent home, mostly to Nigeria. [3]
Ghana's Cyber Security Authority (CSA) gave a different picture of who led it. It said the operation, also called Operation Cyber Hunt, was planned, coordinated and carried out by Ghanaian authorities. Partners included the National Security Council, the Police CID, the Immigration Service and the Attorney-General's office, with support from the FBI, the UK National Crime Agency and Nigeria's EFCC. [1][2]
By the CSA's account, raids on suspected cybercrime bases in Greater Accra led to eight arrests and the rescue of 120 people suspected of being trafficked into online fraud, including romance scams, most of them Nigerians. Officials seized 136 phones, 130 laptops, four vehicles, jewellery and ten Nigerian passports. Repatriation and investigations continue. [2]
The CSA said foreign agencies have no independent power to arrest in Ghana. It still credited the FBI and the NCA for useful intelligence, and asked the FBI to set the record straight on everyone's roles. [2] Ghanaweb reports that Patel's 11 October post then acknowledged Ghana's role. [4]
The numbers do not match yet
The FBI says 130-plus people were arrested or detained. The CSA says eight suspects were arrested and 120 people were rescued. These may describe the same group in different ways, with suspects and suspected victims counted together. The sources do not settle it, so treat both as claims until the authorities publish a joint account. [2][3]
Why Ghanaians abroad should care
Romance scams ruin real families, and they also damage how Ghanaians are seen. The FBI says seniors are the main targets. [3]
If you are contacted by someone you only know online who asks for money, gift cards or crypto, stop and tell someone you trust.
What we do not know
We do not yet know how many people will be charged, where the 120 rescued people will be sent, or how the $17 billion global figure is broken down. We will update this guide when official statements arrive.
Sources and data note
Prepared 12 October 2026 from news reports of statements by the FBI and Ghana's CSA. Primary documents (Patel's X post, the CSA statement) should be checked before publishing.