The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) says Ghanaian agencies, not the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), planned and led the cybercrime raids publicised this week as "Operation Blackout", which it says led to the arrest of eight suspects and the rescue of 120 people suspected to have been trafficked and exploited for online fraud.
In a press release dated 8 October 2026, reported by 3News and Adom Online on 9 October, the CSA said it had taken notice of a post on X by FBI Director Kashyap Patel about the operation. The Authority rejected any portrayal of the operation as independently conceived, commanded or executed by the FBI.
The CSA said the operation, also called "Operation Cyber Hunt", was led and coordinated by the Authority with support from Ghana's National Security Council, the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service, the Ghana Immigration Service and the Office of the Attorney-General. International partners included the FBI, the United Kingdom's National Crime Agency, Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Joint Case Team on Cybercrime.
According to the statement, intelligence received on 26 August 2026 indicated that apartments at Ubuntu Haven Estate in Kpone Katamanso, Franko Estate in Ga North and other locations in Ga West were being used as bases for organised cybercrime, including romance scams.
Items seized included 136 mobile phones, 130 laptops, internet connection devices and four vehicles, one of which the CSA said was stolen from Canada. Investigators also recovered jewellery and ten Nigerian passports, the Authority said.
The CSA said arrangements were under way to repatriate the rescued victims, most of whom were identified as Nigerians, while investigations into the suspects and the seized devices continue.
"Foreign law enforcement agencies have no independent authority to exercise police powers or conduct arrests within Ghana," the Authority said, adding that their participation must take place through lawful cooperation with the authorisation and involvement of Ghanaian authorities.
While acknowledging intelligence contributions from the FBI and the National Crime Agency, the CSA called on the FBI to clarify its public account and acknowledge the roles of Ghanaian institutions and other international partners.
The FBI Director had said on 8 October that more than 130 people were arrested or detained in Ghana, including victims to be repatriated. None of the eight suspects has been named, and they have not been convicted of any offence.