Authorities in Ghana and Nigeria arrested 28 people during a coordinated operation targeting West African scam networks linked to cryptocurrency investment fraud, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The operation, hosted by the U.K.'s National Crime Agency, brought together technology firms and law enforcement to target networks that focused on victims in the United States, U.K., and other countries. The DOJ described it as the first such joint operation focused on West Africa.
Funds flagged and accounts removed
Private-sector partners identified more than $11 million in funds that could be frozen, though this represents flagged assets rather than confirmed recoveries. Officials also reported cryptocurrency seizures but did not disclose their value or the specific assets involved.
Meta removed more than 3.7 million Facebook and Instagram accounts, pages, and groups, most of which appeared to target Americans and Britons through impersonation.
Sector participation
Crypto exchanges Coinbase and Binance participated in the operation alongside blockchain analytics firms Chainalysis, Elliptic, and TRM Labs. Coinbase said it helped trace illicit funds, support asset freezes, and provide intelligence to investigators. The exchange identified more than 65 active scam victims and prevented more than $415,000 in potential losses. TRM Labs said it exposed a large-scale peer-to-peer laundering network.
Enforcement actions
In Sasaabi, near Accra, Ghanaian authorities arrested 19 people and seized 303 electronic devices. Nine additional people were arrested in Nigeria.
The operation identified 117 trafficking victims in Ghana who were awaiting repatriation to Nigeria. Law enforcement also received leads on more than 30 suspected scam centers.
