The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest or detention of more than 130 people in Ghana as part of its ongoing crackdown on global scam centres targeting American citizens. FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed this in a post on X, saying the operation, tagged “Operation……
The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the arrest or detention of more than 130 people in Ghana as part of its ongoing crackdown on global scam centres targeting American citizens.
FBI Director Kash Patel disclosed this in a post on X, saying the operation, tagged “Operation Blackout”, had uncovered nearly $10 million in identified losses and 89 victims in the latest crackdown.
Patel said more than 300 devices were also seized during the operation, while investigations into the scam network remain ongoing.
“OPERATION BLACKOUT: this FBI’s global scam center fraud demolition. Another takedown this week out of Ghana,” Patel said.
He added: “Nearly $10 million in identified losses so far -89 victims identified -130+ individuals arrested or detained (including victims who will be repatriated to home country) -300+ devices seized.”
According to the FBI Director, the latest operation forms part of a wider international effort to dismantle scam compounds that target Americans and cause financial and personal harm to victims.
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“These scam compounds target American citizens and destroy lives – and this @FBI is crushing them in every corner of the world. More to come,” he said.
Patel also disclosed the cumulative figures recorded under Operation Blackout, saying authorities had so far seized roughly $17 billion linked to the operations.
He said the campaign had also led to the arrest of hundreds of alleged scammers and the freeing of thousands of trafficked workers.
According to Patel, more than 10,000 Americans had been warned before losing their money, while an estimated $670 million in losses had been prevented.
“Operation Blackout totals so far: -Roughly $17 BILLION seized -Hundreds of alleged scammers arrested -Thousands of trafficked workers freed -10,000+ Americans warned before losing their money -$670 MILLION in estimated losses prevented,” he said.
The FBI said the investigation into the latest Ghana operation is ongoing.
