CSA Clarifies Ghana's Leadership of "Operation Blackout", Rejects FBI-Led Portrayal

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has clarified Ghana's leadership role in "Operation Blackout", also referred to as "Operation Cyber Hunt", rejecting any portrayal of the operation as independently conceived, commanded or executed by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In a press release dated October 8, 2026, the CSA said it had taken notice of a post on X by the FBI Director, Mr. Kashyap Pramod Patel, concerning the operation in Ghana.

According to the CSA, the operation was led and coordinated by the CSA with support from Ghana's National Security Council, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, the National Crime Agency (NCA) of the United Kingdom, the FBI, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria (EFCC), the Joint Case Team on Cybercrime (JCTC), the Ghana Immigration Service, and the Office of the Attorney-General.

*A Ghanaian Operation Under Ghanaian Authority*

The Authority stressed that Ghanaian authorities planned, coordinated and executed the operation within Ghana's legal and institutional frameworks, and thus it cannot be said to be conceived as part of an FBI-led global programme, neither was it conducted under a foreign operational command.

*Ghana's Sovereignty and Jurisdiction*

The CSA emphasized that Ghana is a sovereign Republic governed by its Constitution and laws, and foreign law enforcement agencies have no independent authority to exercise police powers or conduct arrests within Ghana. Their participation, it said, must take place through lawful cooperation, with the authorisation and involvement of relevant Ghanaian authorities.

*Partnership Built on Mutual Respect*

While acknowledging the valuable intelligence contributions of the FBI and the NCA, the CSA said the partnerships support Ghana's efforts to combat transnational cybercrime and remain important to effective investigations.

However, the Authority said the contribution of international partners must be described accurately, and called upon the FBI to clarify its public account of the Ghana-led operation and acknowledge the contributions of Ghanaian institutions and other international partners.

*Operation Cyber Hunt Details*

According to the CSA, the operation uncovered suspected cybercrime centres in parts of the Greater Accra Region, leading to the arrest of eight suspects and the rescue of 120 others suspected to have been trafficked and exploited for online fraud activities.