More than 130 individuals have been arrested or detained in Ghana as part of a crackdown on a suspected scam operation targeting American citizens, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has revealed.

In a global crackdown dubbed “Operation Blackout” and aimed at suspected scam operations targeting American citizens, FBI Director Kash Patel, in an X (formerly Twitter) post on Thursday, October 8, said the Ghana operation had so far identified nearly US$10 million in losses and 89 victims, while more than 300 electronic devices had been seized.

According to him, the more than 130 people arrested or detained include some victims who are expected to be repatriated to their home countries.

“Nearly $10 million in identified losses so far, 89 victims identified, 130+ individuals arrested or detained, including victims who will be repatriated to their home country, and 300+ devices seized,” Mr Patel said.

The FBI Director said the investigation remains ongoing, with the bureau continuing efforts to dismantle scam compounds that target American citizens.

“These scam compounds target American citizens and destroy lives,” he said, adding that the FBI was continuing to target such operations in different parts of the world.

The locations of the operation in Ghana, the identities of those arrested or detained, and the specific Ghanaian institutions involved have not been disclosed in Mr Patel’s post. Ghanaian authorities had also not publicly provided further details on the operation at the time of reporting.

Progress so far under Operation Blackout

Meanwhile, the Ghana operation forms part of Operation Blackout, which Mr Patel said has so far resulted in roughly US$17 billion being seized globally.

He said the wider operation has also led to the arrest of hundreds of alleged scammers and the release of thousands of trafficked workers.

The FBI has also warned more than 10,000 Americans before they lost money to scam operations, while an estimated US$670 million in losses has been prevented, according to Mr Patel.

The bureau has described scam compounds as operations that target people overseas through various fraudulent schemes, while some workers are allegedly trafficked or coerced into participating in the scams.

The FBI Director said the investigation into the Ghana operation was continuing and indicated that further developments could follow.