Cyber Security Authority Rejects Claims of FBI Leadership in Operation Blackout
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has rejected portrayals suggesting that the recently concluded Operation Blackout was independently conceived, commanded or executed by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Authority clarified that the operation, also known as Operation Cyber Hunt, was led and coordinated by the CSA with support from Ghana’s National Security Council, the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, the FBI, Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Joint Case Team on Cybercrime, the Ghana Immigration Service and the Office of the Attorney-General.
According to the CSA, Ghanaian authorities planned, coordinated and executed the operation within Ghana’s legal and institutional frameworks, adding that it was neither conceived as part of an FBI-led global programme nor conducted under foreign operational command.
The Authority noted that foreign law enforcement agencies have no independent authority to conduct arrests or exercise police powers within Ghana except through lawful cooperation with the relevant Ghanaian institutions.
While acknowledging the intelligence contributions of the FBI and the National Crime Agency, the CSA said it was important that the roles of all participating agencies were accurately reflected.
The Authority therefore called on the FBI to clarify its public account of the operation and acknowledge the contributions of Ghanaian institutions and other international partners involved in its execution.
“The Authority remains available for constructive engagement to ensure that the public record reflects the respective roles of all participating agencies,” the statement read.
It noted that Operation Blackout uncovered suspected cybercrime centres in parts of the Greater Accra Region, leading to the arrest of eight suspects and the rescue of 120 individuals believed to have been trafficked and exploited for online fraud activities.
The CSA indicated that the operation followed intelligence received on August 26, 2026, indicating that apartments at Ubuntu Haven Estate in Kpone Katamanso, Franko Estate in Ga North and other locations in Ga West were being used as bases for organised cybercrime activities, including romance scams.
“Items seized during the operation included 136 mobile phones, 130 laptops, internet connection devices, four motor vehicles, one of which was reported stolen from Canada, jewellery, ten Nigerian passports and other digital equipment,” it added.
Authorities said they are working to repatriate the rescued victims, identified largely as Nigerians, whilst investigations into the suspects and the seized digital devices are ongoing.
Reaffirming its commitment to combating cybercrime, the Authority stated that Ghana would not become a haven for cybercriminals and would continue to strengthen intelligence-led investigations, digital forensic capabilities, inter-agency coordination and international cooperation.
Margaret Adjeley Sowah, ISD
