Global Scam Crackdown: 3.7 Million Accounts Removed, 28 Arrested in International Operation

Between 6 and 9 October 2026, international law enforcement agencies and technology companies coordinated efforts to disrupt criminal networks operating primarily in Ghana and Nigeria.

The initiative brought together representatives from 15 law enforcement organisations, including the FBI, Nigeria Police Force and Ghanaian Cyber Security Authority.

Private-sector participants included Meta, Microsoft and Google.

Investigators focused on investment fraud, impersonation scams and the digital infrastructure supporting organised online criminal activity.

One of the operation's most significant outcomes was the removal of more than 3.7 million online accounts, pages and groups by Meta.

These removals disrupted online infrastructure used to approach potential victims, distribute fraudulent content and facilitate scams.

The scale illustrates how organised fraud networks can operate across enormous numbers of digital identities.

However, account removals alone do not guarantee that the underlying criminal networks have been permanently dismantled.

Authorities reported 19 arrests in Ghana and nine in Nigeria.

Investigators targeted suspected fraud operations and seized electronic devices, including mobile phones, laptops and networking equipment.

The coordinated action demonstrated how digital intelligence can support physical law enforcement operations against organised criminal networks.

Private-sector partners identified approximately $11 million in funds potentially available for freezing.

This figure highlights the financial dimension of organised online fraud. The identified funds have not been reported as frozen or recovered.

The outcome demonstrates the value of cooperation between investigators, financial intelligence specialists and technology companies.

Online fraud does not respect geographical boundaries.

A criminal network may operate in one country, use platforms headquartered in another, process payments through international financial infrastructure and target victims across multiple continents.

No single organisation necessarily has visibility into the entire network.

Coordinated intelligence sharing can help identify connections between fraudulent accounts, financial activity, suspicious domains and organised criminal groups.

The NCA-hosted operation demonstrates how international cooperation can translate intelligence into meaningful enforcement outcomes.

For the wider cybersecurity community, the operation highlights an important reality: combating organised online fraud requires more than responding to individual complaints.

It requires structured reporting, reliable evidence, responsible intelligence sharing and cooperation between organisations capable of taking action.

Independent security researchers, technology platforms, financial institutions and abuse-response teams all have important roles to play.

At AbuseOne, our mission is to support a more connected and accountable approach to identifying, reporting and addressing online abuse.

We believe the future of digital trust depends on transforming actionable intelligence into coordinated, responsible responses.