The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has pushed back against the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s narrative of a recent intelligence operation in Ghana, asserting that the operation, dubbed “Operation Cyber Hunt”, was led and coordinated by Ghanaian authorities, not the FBI.
The CSA’s response comes after FBI Director Kashyap Pramod Patel posted on X about “Operation Blackout” in Ghana, a move the CSA says misrepresents the true nature of the collaborative effort. According to a statement released on Thursday, October 8, the CSA emphasized that the operation was conceived, planned, and executed within Ghana’s legal and institutional frameworks. 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 were all key participants.
International partners, such as the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, the FBI, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Joint Case Team on Cybercrime, also contributed to the operation. While the CSA acknowledged valuable intelligence from the FBI and the National Crime Agency, it stressed the importance of accurately representing each agency’s role.
The Authority reiterated that foreign agencies like the FBI cannot independently exercise police powers or conduct arrests in Ghana, such actions must be authorized and overseen by Ghanaian authorities.
The operation led to the discovery of suspected cybercrime centres in the Greater Accra Region, resulting in the arrest of eight suspects and the rescue of 120 individuals believed to have been trafficked and exploited for online fraud schemes. Intelligence received in late August pointed to specific locations, including Ubuntu Haven Estate in Kpone Katamanso and Franko Estate in Ga North, as hubs for organized cybercrime activities such as romance scams.
Law enforcement officials seized 136 mobile phones, 130 laptops, internet devices, and four vehicles, one of which was reportedly stolen from Canada. Additional items recovered included jewellery, ten Nigerian passports, and other electronic equipment.
The CSA noted that arrangements were being made to repatriate most of the rescued victims, who were identified as Nigerians, while investigations into the suspects and recovered devices continued.
In closing, the CSA called on the FBI to clarify its public statements and to properly acknowledge the contributions of Ghanaian institutions and international partners in the successful operation.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com