A Nigerian national has been arrested and remanded into custody following a joint cybercrime operation involving the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), the Ghana Police Service, INTERPOL and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The suspect, Aderinsola Oluwanifemi Adeleye, who reportedly resides at Oyarifa in Accra and operates a cement block manufacturing business, is accused of participating in a transnational cyber-enabled financial fraud scheme involving compromised Citi Bank debit cards issued in the United States.

Investigation

According to the CSA, the investigation began on June 25, 2026, after the manager of the Haatso Shell Filling Station reported that Shell Headquarters had received a complaint from Ecobank Ghana over suspicious Point of Sale (POS) transactions conducted with two US-issued Citi Bank debit cards.

Investigators traced the transactions to POS terminals at the Haatso Shell Filling Station and the Osu Total Filling Station. Two fuel attendants were arrested and later told investigators that Adeleye and an accomplice had repeatedly visited the stations to process transactions using Citi Bank debit cards through mobile devices.

Police allege that instead of purchasing fuel, the suspects processed fictitious fuel sales through the POS terminals. Once the payments were approved, they allegedly received cash equivalent to the transaction amount, effectively converting funds from the compromised debit cards into cash.

Authorities said Adeleye returned to the Haatso Shell Filling Station later that evening to carry out another transaction but was recognised by the attendants and arrested at the scene.

Items recovered

Police said a search conducted at the time of his arrest led to the recovery of a Beretta pistol loaded with two rounds of 9mm live ammunition, as well as a Citi Bank VISA debit card.

A subsequent search of his office at AA Global Homes Construction Limited in Katamanso uncovered 15 additional rounds of 9mm ammunition and an empty shell casing hidden in a drawer.

On June 27, investigators executed a search warrant at his residence in Oyarifa, where they recovered two mobile phones believed to have been used in the alleged offences. The devices have been retained for forensic analysis.

Suspect’s statement

In his cautioned statement to investigators, Adeleye admitted using the recovered Citi Bank debit card at both filling stations.

He reportedly claimed that the card had been sent to him by an individual identified as Gail Oneara, who is said to be based in the United States, with an available balance of approximately US$10,000 for his personal use.

According to police, Adeleye further stated that he had withdrawn or spent about US$8,000 from the card before his arrest.

Assets under investigation

Investigators suspect that proceeds from the alleged fraud were used to acquire several assets, including a four-bedroom storey building, a cement block manufacturing factory at Katamanso near Amrahia, and a Nissan ZNA pick-up vehicle.

Authorities say the assets are believed to have been purchased with proceeds of crime and remain part of the ongoing investigation.

Law enforcement agencies are continuing efforts to identify and arrest other members of the suspected criminal network, trace additional assets, and determine the full extent of the alleged fraudulent activities.

The CSA noted that forensic examinations of the seized electronic devices are expected to provide further evidence on the syndicate’s operations and any international links.

The Authority added that the case underscores the increasing sophistication of cyber-enabled financial crimes and highlights the importance of intelligence-led collaboration among local and international law enforcement agencies in combating transnational cybercrime.