The Ghana Police Service has arrested 11 suspects for allegedly creating and circulating AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating President John Dramani Mahama online.

The arrests were made by the Police Cyber Vetting Enforcement Team during coordinated operations carried out in parts of the Volta Region. Police say some of the suspects are believed to be Nigerian nationals.

The suspects were identified as Anipah Jonathan, 23; Dzamesi Bright Kofi, 35; Thomas Ayoyo, 17; Louis Segbawu, 18; Raphael Ablordeppey, 32; Bishop Esiri, 46; Wisdom James, 25; Ali Lucky, 23; Edwin Edos, 22; John Kofi Darlington, 20; and Danu Peter, 19.

According to police, items retrieved during the operation included laptops, mobile phones, internet routers, 120 pre-registered SIM cards, and a Nigerian-registered Mercedes-Benz ML 350 with registration number LSR 138HR from Lagos.

A police situational report indicated that the operations were conducted between May 1 and May 3, 2026, in Sogakope, Dabala, Tongu, Akatsi, and Aflao following intelligence gathered on a group allegedly involved in producing fake AI-generated videos of President Mahama.

Police said further cyber tracking operations on May 4 led to the arrest of five additional suspects in Aflao, made up of four Nigerians and one Ghanaian.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects allegedly used the AI-generated content to fraudulently solicit money and sensitive personal information from unsuspecting members of the public through online platforms.

Police further stated that investigations revealed the suspects were part of a larger criminal network involved in creating and distributing fraudulent digital content aimed at impersonating high-profile personalities for financial gain.

Nine of the suspects have been remanded into police custody and are expected to reappear before court on May 25, 2026.

The remaining two suspects, Thomas Ayoyo and Louis Segbawu, were granted bail with two justified sureties.