FBI Director Kash Patel says US authorities have dismantled a scam operation in Ghana as part of a global crackdown on transnational fraud networks under Operation Blackout.

In a post on X on Thursday, October 8, 2026, Patel said the operation in Ghana had so far identified nearly US$10 million in losses involving 89 victims.

He said more than 130 people had been arrested or detained and over 300 electronic devices had been seized during the operation.

“These scam compounds target American citizens and destroy lives – and this FBI is crushing them in every corner of the world. More to come,” Patel said.

The FBI Director said investigations into the Ghana operation are ongoing.

According to Patel, some of those detained in Ghana are believed to be victims of trafficking and will be repatriated to their respective countries.

The FBI has not disclosed the identities of those arrested or detained, the locations of the alleged scam operations or the specific Ghanaian institutions involved in the latest operation.

It also remains unclear whether any of the suspects will face prosecution in Ghana or be extradited to the United States.

The operation forms part of Operation Blackout, an FBI-led global initiative targeting scam compounds involved in fraud against Americans.

Patel has previously said the broader operation has resulted in approximately US$17 billion in fraud-related assets being seized, alongside hundreds of arrests and the rescue of thousands of trafficked workers.

The FBI has also used a separate initiative, Operation Level Up, to contact potential fraud victims before they lose money. The bureau has reportedly reached more than 10,000 potential victims through the programme and helped prevent hundreds of millions of dollars in losses.

Patel has described scam compounds as large, fortified facilities where trafficked workers are allegedly forced to conduct fraudulent schemes targeting victims in other countries.

He has also warned that criminal networks are increasingly shifting their operations to Africa as law enforcement pressure intensifies in Southeast Asia and other regions.

The latest development comes amid increased cooperation between Ghanaian and US authorities in tackling transnational financial and cybercrime.

In July 2026, Ghanaian national Frederick Kumi, also known as Abu Trica, was extradited to the United States over his alleged involvement in a romance-fraud network.

According to the US Department of Justice, Kumi, 31, was allegedly part of a network that targeted more than 80 elderly victims in the United States and defrauded them of over US$8 million.

He was arrested in Ghana in December 2025 and extradited to the US on July 9, 2026. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.

US authorities credited several Ghanaian institutions with assisting in his arrest and extradition, including the Attorney-General’s Office, the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service, the Cyber Security Authority, the National Intelligence Bureau and the FBI Legal Attaché Office in Accra.

Patel concluded his announcement on the Ghana operation by stating, “More to come,” indicating that the FBI’s international campaign against scam networks remains ongoing.

OPERATION BLACKOUT: this FBI’s global scam center fraud demolition.

Another takedown this week out of Ghana:

-Nearly $10 million in identified losses so far
-89 victims identified
-130+ individuals arrested or detained (including victims who will be repatriated to home country)
-300+ devices seized

Investigation is ongoing.

These scam compounds target American citizens and destroy lives – and this @FBI is crushing them in every corner of the world. More to come.

Operation Blackout totals so far:

-Roughly $17 BILLION seized
-Hundreds of alleged scammers arrested
-Thousands of trafficked workers freed
-10,000+ Americans warned before losing their money
-$670 MILLION in estimated losses prevented

— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 8, 2026