The Cyber Security Authority in collaboration with the Bank of Ghana and the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) conducted a swoop that led to the arrest of 422 Ghanaians and 3 foreigners allegedly operating illegal loan apps.
According to a press release from EOCO, investigations resulted in the identification of 150 unlicensed digital loan application platforms whose owners/administrators use death threats and the non-consensual distribution of private messages, images, and videos. These platforms are primarily accessed through authorized permissions granted by unwary victims who use these digital platforms.
On July 10, 2023, the task force conducted a swoop in three (3) different suburbs in the Greater Accra Region with assistance from the Ghana Police Service in an effort to obstruct the activities of these targeted entities. As a result, 422 Ghanaians and three (3) foreign nationals were detained. Approximately eight hundred (800) sim cards, twenty-two (22) laptop computers, and six hundred and fifty-four (654) mobile phones were all recovered as part of the operation.
EOCO says they are committed to upholding pertinent laws governing how Ghana’s financial markets operate. At this time, it issues a warning to the general public asking them to avoid all contact with illegal financial entities operating online.
