More than 150 foreign nationals have been arrested in a nationwide crackdown on cyber fraud and human trafficking, following a joint operation involving the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, and the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS).
The arrests, made over the past four months, form part of intensified efforts by the security agencies to clamp down on online criminal networks exploiting Ghana’s digital space.
Speaking to the media during the National Cyber Security Awareness Engagement held in collaboration with the Ghana Immigration Service, the Director-General of the CSA, Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti, cautioned the public to be on high alert against online scams, particularly fraudulent recruitment schemes that falsely claim affiliation with reputable public institutions.
“The digital space offers enormous opportunities, but it is also being exploited by cybercriminals to defraud unsuspecting citizens. We urge the public to verify information before engaging in online transactions or applying for jobs advertised on social media platforms,” Mr. Agbeti warned.
He explained that recent investigations revealed a growing trend in which criminal syndicates lure victims, especially the youth, with fake online job offers, only to traffic and exploit them for illicit cyber operations.
Addressing participants at the event, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration (Operations and Command Post), Mr. Loud Ofori Affrifa, reaffirmed GIS’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s territorial integrity both physically and digitally.
He said the Service has adopted the sub-theme “Securing Ghana’s Borders in the Digital Age” to emphasize its evolving mandate in combating cyber-enabled crimes such as trafficking, smuggling, and money laundering.
“National security today goes beyond physical borders. Criminals are now using technology to commit cross-border crimes. It is therefore important that we secure not only our land, sea, and air borders but also our digital frontiers,” Mr. Affrifa noted.
According to him, the GIS has rolled out several advanced digital tools, including the Personal Identification and Secure Evaluation System (PISES), the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), and the Border Permit Management System, all of which have enhanced data accuracy, operational efficiency, and intelligence coordination across entry points.
He also disclosed that the Service has established a dedicated Cybersecurity Unit with technical support from the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), aimed at building internal cyber resilience and improving response capacity to digital threats.
The Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (Legal), Mr. Peter Philip Andor, highlighted the increasing link between cybercrime and irregular migration. He revealed that many victims of human trafficking are deceived through online job advertisements and social media interactions.
“We are seeing a disturbing pattern where cyber fraud and human trafficking are interconnected. Criminal groups use digital platforms to target vulnerable individuals, particularly young people, promising lucrative opportunities abroad,” Mr. Andor said.
He urged citizens to report any suspicious gatherings of foreigners or unusual digital activities within their communities to the nearest security agency, stressing that public vigilance remains key in combating cyber-enabled crimes.
Ghana’s cybersecurity landscape has witnessed an uptake in fraudulent online activities, ranging from romance scams and fake investment schemes to phishing and identity theft.
According to the Cyber Security Authority, the country recorded millions of cedis in cyber-related financial losses in recent years, with perpetrators often operating in sophisticated, transnational networks.
The National Cyber Security Awareness Month, observed every October, continues to serve as a platform for education and collaboration among public institutions, private entities, and citizens to build a safer digital ecosystem.
Mr. Agbeti reaffirmed the CSA’s commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies in dismantling cybercrime networks and protecting Ghana’s digital infrastructure.
“We will continue to strengthen our partnerships with the Police, Immigration Service, and international allies to ensure that Ghana remains resilient in the digital age,” he assured.
