The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested or detained more than 130 people in Ghana as part of a crackdown on an alleged international scam-centre network targeting American citizens.

FBI Director Kash Patel announced the development on Thursday as part of the bureau’s ongoing global campaign against scam centres, known as Operation Blackout.

Nearly $10m in Losses Identified

According to Patel, the Ghana operation has so far identified 89 victims and nearly $10 million in financial losses.

More than 300 electronic devices were also seized during the operation as investigators work to establish the full extent of the alleged scam network.

Patel said the investigation remains ongoing and that further details would be released as the operation progresses.

Some Detained People Identified as Victims

The FBI director clarified that not everyone arrested or detained was necessarily involved in the alleged scams.

Some of those detained were identified as victims who were expected to be repatriated to their respective home countries.

The development highlights the wider problem of scam compounds in which individuals may themselves be trafficked or coerced into participating in fraudulent activities.

Operation Targets Scams Against Americans

Patel said the scam compounds targeted American citizens and were responsible for significant financial losses.

He described the Ghana operation as the latest international action under Operation Blackout, an FBI campaign aimed at disrupting transnational scam networks and dismantling the facilities used to conduct fraudulent activities.

The FBI has been working with law-enforcement partners internationally as part of efforts to identify scam operations, protect victims and recover illicit proceeds.

FBI Reports Wider Operation Blackout Results

Patel also provided an update on the cumulative results of Operation Blackout.

According to him, the campaign has so far resulted in approximately $17 billion being seized, while hundreds of alleged scammers have been arrested and thousands of trafficked workers have been freed.

The FBI also said more than 10,000 Americans had been warned before losing money, while an estimated $670 million in losses had been prevented through the wider campaign.

Investigation Continues

The FBI said the Ghana operation remains active as investigators examine the seized devices and gather additional evidence concerning the alleged scam network.

Authorities are expected to determine the identities and roles of those detained, including individuals allegedly involved in fraudulent activities and those identified as victims.

The allegations against suspected scammers have not been established against individual defendants in court.