Detained 28 people in operation against fraud online from Africa

Uthe international operation against social media fraud from Africa resulted in the arrest of 28 suspects and the elimination of millions of online profiles and accounts, announced today the British agency to fight organized crime (NCA).

The arrests occurred mainly in Ghana and Nigeria: 19 people were arrested in Sasaabi, in the region of Accra, Ghana, where 303 electronic devices were seized and 117 human trafficking victims were identified, awaiting repatriation to Nigeria.

In Nigeria, in the state of Delta, nine people were arrested and six laptops, 35 mobile phones and 12 ‘routers’ seized, the National Crime Agency (NCA) revealed.

Criminals used social media profiles to deceive victims with various types of fraud, such as investment schemes and fraud by identity theft.

The initiative, called “Joint Disruption Week”, took place between October 6th and 9th, was the fourth such operation and the first one organized by the British agency in London.

The Meta removed more than 3.7 million accounts, pages and groups associated with fraud centres in West Africa targeting people in the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries.

The operation brought together 15 police agencies and 15 technology companies, including Meta, Microsoft and Google, as well as representatives from the FBI, Nigerian Police and Ghana's Cybersecurity Authority.

Technology companies also identified around 11 million dollars (about 9.5 million euros) in potentially freezing funds.

“ The crime of fraud is a global problem and requires cooperation across international borders,” NCA Deputy Director of Fraud Nick Sharp said.

Meta said that it shared information about more than 30 suspected fraud centres, which contributed to the arrests, the rescue of trafficking victims and the seizure of cryptocurrencies.