Sam George warns FBI Director against taking sole credit for Ghana cybercrime operation
Sam George has challenged FBI Director Kash Patel over the presentation of a major cybercrime crackdown in Ghana, insisting that Ghanaian law enforcement and intelligence agencies led the operation with support from the UK’s National Crime Agency and the FBI.
HENRY GERCHI 
Accra, October 9, 2026
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has cautioned Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel against presenting a recent cybercrime operation in Ghana as an exclusively American effort.
Mr George warned that failing to acknowledge Ghana’s contribution could undermine future international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime.
His comments followed an announcement by Mr Patel on October 8, 2026, that a crackdown under the FBI’s global Operation Blackout had identified nearly US$10 million in losses, 89 victims and more than 130 people arrested or detained in Ghana. More than 300 electronic devices were also seized, according to the FBI Director.
Ghanaian agencies led the operation
In a post on X, Mr George said Ghanaian law enforcement and intelligence agencies led the operations, with primary support from the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) and assistance from the FBI.
He explained that the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), under his ministry, worked with the Criminal Investigations Department of the Ghana Police Service and operatives from the National Security Secretariat to conduct a series of sting operations between September 25 and 28, 2026.
The minister argued that portraying the exercise as solely an FBI operation failed to recognise the collaborative efforts that made the crackdown possible.
He warned that such an approach could weaken the trust and cooperation required to tackle increasingly sophisticated transnational cybercrime networks.
Nearly $10 million in losses identified
According to Mr Patel’s announcement, the operation has so far identified nearly US$10 million in financial losses linked to scam activities and 89 victims.
More than 130 people were arrested or detained, although the FBI indicated that the figure includes some victims who are expected to be repatriated to their home countries.
Authorities also seized more than 300 electronic devices as investigations continued.
The identities of those detained, the precise locations of the operations and the specific charges, if any, against individual suspects have not yet been disclosed publicly.
Government pledges continued cooperation
Mr George reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating cybercrime and expressed appreciation to Ghana’s international partners, particularly the UK’s NCA and the FBI.
He said the Cyber Security Authority would continue working with local and international law enforcement agencies to sustain efforts against cybercriminal networks.
The dispute centres on how the operation was publicly presented, rather than a rejection of cooperation with the United States. The minister’s position is that joint operations should recognise the contributions of all participating agencies.
