Mahama administration committed to stamping out cybercrime – Sam George

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has stated that the John Mahama-led is committed to stamping out cybercrime in Ghana.

His comment comes after the Cybersecurity Authority (CSA), the Ghana Police Service and the National Security Secretariat recently conducted a series of sting operations targeting cybercriminals.

The operations were carried out between September 25 and 28, with support from international law enforcement partners, including the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In a social media post on Thursday, October 8, the Minister noted, “The John Dramani Mahama administration is committed to stamping out cybercrime. We are grateful to our international partners, including UK's National Crime Agency and the FBI."

Sam George further assured that the government would continue working with local and international law enforcement agencies to strengthen the fight against cybercrime.

“The CSA will continue these operations with our local and international law enforcement partners,” he said.

The FBI has earlier announced a major crackdown on a suspected scam-centre operation in Ghana, where more than 130 people were arrested or detained.

FBI Director Kash Patel said the operation had so far identified nearly $10 million in losses and 89 victims, while more than 300 devices had been seized.

The FBI said the Ghana operation formed part of its wider “Operation Blackout”, which targets international scam centres accused of defrauding American citizens and exploiting trafficked workers.

The operation is also expected to have an international dimension, with some of those detained identified by the FBI as victims who would be repatriated to their home countries.

The FBI has said its wider Operation Blackout has so far resulted in roughly $17 billion in seizures, hundreds of alleged scammers being arrested and thousands of trafficke workers being freed.