Communications Minister insists Ghanaian agencies led Cyberhunt operations, warns against undermining international cooperation
Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has challenged FBI Director Kash Patel over the presentation of a recent cybercrime operation in Ghana, insisting that local security agencies played the leading role in the exercise.
Mr George warned that failing to acknowledge Ghana’s contribution could undermine trust among international law enforcement partners and weaken future cooperation against transnational cybercrime.
His reaction followed a Thursday statement by Mr Patel announcing arrests, seizures and investigations in Ghana under the FBI’s global Operation Blackout, which targets scam centres accused of defrauding victims, including American citizens.
In a public response, the Minister said Ghanaian law enforcement and intelligence agencies led the Cyberhunt operations, with primary support from the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and assistance from the FBI.
“@FBIDirectorKash, as Ghana’s Minister responsible for Cybersecurity, I believe the fight against cybercrime is transnational and requires collaboration,” Mr George stated.
He cautioned that portraying the operation as an exclusively FBI-led exercise could damage the prospects for continued international collaboration.
“To suggest the @FBI acted solely to execute this operation in your tweet undermines the potential for future collaboration,” he added, urging the FBI director to recognise the value of sustained cooperation.
Ghanaian agencies led the operations
Providing details of Ghana’s involvement, Mr George said the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), under his Ministry, worked with the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service and operatives from the National Security Secretariat to conduct a series of sting operations between September 25 and 28, 2026.
He said the coordinated operations dealt a significant blow to cybercriminal activities and demonstrated the government’s determination to combat cybercrime.
The Minister reaffirmed the Mahama administration’s commitment to working with foreign partners to dismantle criminal networks operating across national borders.
“The John Dramani Mahama administration is committed to stamping out cybercrime. We are grateful to our international partners, including the UK’s NCA and the FBI,” he said.
He added that the CSA would continue collaborating with domestic and international security agencies to sustain the fight against cybercrime.
FBI reports arrests and millions in suspected losses
In his account of the operation, Mr Patel said investigations in Ghana had identified nearly US$10 million in losses and 89 victims.
He also reported that more than 130 individuals had been arrested or detained, while over 300 electronic devices had been seized as part of the enforcement action.
According to the FBI director, some of those detained were victims who would be repatriated to their respective countries, while investigations into the suspected criminal networks remained ongoing.
Mr Patel further said the broader Operation Blackout had resulted in approximately US$17 billion in seizures, hundreds of arrests involving alleged scammers and the liberation of thousands of trafficked workers.
He added that more than 10,000 Americans had received warnings before losing money, with estimated losses of US$670 million prevented.
The disagreement over the public presentation of the Ghana operation has brought into focus the importance of recognising the contributions of national agencies in multinational investigations.
While Mr George has emphasised Ghana’s leadership role, he has also acknowledged the importance of international support, maintaining that effective action against cybercrime depends on cooperation, mutual respect and recognition of the respective roles played by participating agencies.
