Around 30 romance scammers arrested in Ghana and Nigeria

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 13 Oct, 22:20 · Archive

About 30 suspected romance fraudsters operating from Ghana and Nigeria have been arrested following a coordinated law enforcement operation.

Around 30 individuals suspected of carrying out romance scams targeting people in the UK and US have been arrested in West Africa following a joint operation run by the National Crime Agency (NCA). The operation ran between 6 and 9 October and involved over 100 officials from police forces and technology companies gathering in London.

Criminals operating from Nigeria and Ghana used social media accounts to prey on victims in Britain and the US. As part of the enforcement effort, Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, dismantled approximately 3.7 million accounts associated with fraudulent activity, including romance schemes.

In Ghana's Accra region, specifically in Sasaabi, officers detained 19 individuals, confiscated 303 electronic devices, and uncovered 117 victims of human trafficking. Further arrests took place in Nigeria's Delta state, where nine people were taken into custody alongside seizures of 35 mobile phones, six laptops and 12 internet routers.

The NCA's deputy director of fraud Nick Sharp said investment scams aimed at British citizens stem 'primarily from overseas and West Africa', frequently in the form of romance fraud. He explained that perpetrators 'use the romance fraud as a way of bringing the victim in and introducing them to investment opportunities'. Sharp added that many cases of sextortion, a form of blackmail involving threats to share intimate images, are thought to originate in the region.

How it is being reported

• West African 'romance scammers' who were 'targeting lonely British pensioners' are arrested in London-led stingAlmost 30 alleged fraudsters were arrested in the operation which targeted suspects in countries including Ghana and Nigeria from Tuesday to Friday last week.Daily Mail · 13 Oct, 22:09
• Dozens of alleged romance scammers who targeted UK victims arrested in Ghana and NigeriaRunning between 6 and 9 October, the targeted operation zeroed in on a number of sites in West AfricaThe Independent · 13 Oct, 22:03
• Dozens of romance scammers targeting UK victims arrested in Ghana and NigeriaDozens of individuals suspected of carrying out online scams , including romance fraud against people in the UK , have been detained in West Africa after a global law enforcement initiative, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA).The Independent · 13 Oct, 20:55

In this story: National Crime Agency · Ghana · Nigeria · Meta · Nick Sharp · Sasaabi · Delta state · UK

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