The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest or 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 the development on Thursday while providing an update on the agency’s global campaign, known as Operation Blackout.
According to Patel, the latest operation in Ghana has so far uncovered nearly $10 million in identified losses, with 89 victims identified and more than 300 electronic devices seized.
He said more than 130 individuals had been arrested or detained, but clarified that the figure includes people believed to be victims who are expected to be repatriated to their home countries.
“Another takedown this week out of Ghana,” Patel said while announcing the operation, adding that investigations were still ongoing.
The FBI director said the alleged scam compounds targeted American citizens and described the Ghana operation as part of the bureau’s broader international efforts to dismantle transnational fraud networks.
Patel also released figures for Operation Blackout as a whole, saying the campaign has so far resulted in roughly $17 billion being seized, alongside hundreds of arrests and the rescue of thousands of trafficked workers.
He added that more than 10,000 Americans had been warned before losing money, while an estimated $670 million in potential losses had been prevented.
The FBI has not yet disclosed the precise location of the Ghana operation or provided details on the identities and nationalities of those detained. Ghanaian authorities had also not publicly provided further details at the time of the report.
Patel said the investigation was continuing, promising that further information would be released.
