Crime and Investigation
EOCO Exceeds 2025 Recovery Target With $336.6m as Crypto Fraud Victims Set for Compensation
The Economic and Organised Crime Office, EOCO, recorded total recoveries of 336.6 million dollars in 2025, surpassing its annual target by 133.4 million dollars, following major asset seizures linked to financial crimes, including a large-scale cryptocurrency fraud.
The achievement was disclosed at the Government Accountability Series press briefing held in Accra on December 18, 2025.
Addressing the media, the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, revealed that a separate 15.191 million dollars recovered from offshore cryptocurrency wallets would be used partly to compensate victims of a Chinese-Malaysian online trading scam.
According to Dr Ayine, the funds were traced to a criminal network that defrauded more than 1,000 victims in Ghana and the United Kingdom through a fraudulent investment scheme that had been operating since 2019.
“Some of the recovered funds will go to compensate victims, while a larger portion will be paid into the public purse,” he said.
The scam, allegedly run by Chinese and Malaysian nationals, enticed victims with promises of high returns through investment packages ranging from GH¢770 to GH¢9,000. Victims were instructed to purchase items on a fake e-commerce platform and recruit others through referral systems characteristic of Ponzi-style operations.
Dr Ayine explained that the suspects produced instructional videos showing how payments were made using virtual currencies, which enabled EOCO investigators to trace the digital wallets used to move the illicit proceeds.
Investigations uncovered over 1,000 transactions flowing into a wallet on the OKX exchange platform, based in Seychelles. EOCO linked the activity to a single computer IP address connected to a Chinese national residing in Ghana on a residence permit.
Efforts to trace the Malaysian directors stalled after requests for mutual legal assistance sent to Malaysia went unanswered, prompting EOCO to seek support from the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.
With assistance from UK-based firms, EOCO secured High Court orders compelling OKX to transfer the seized crypto assets to Zodia Custody for conversion into fiat currency. On November 19, 2025, the assets were converted, and 15.191 million dollars and ten cents was transferred into EOCO’s exhibit account.
Dr Ayine commended Justice Gwendolyn Millicent Owusu of the Economic and Financial Crime Division of the High Court, noting that her grasp of the complex legal issues was critical to the success of the recovery.
“Without her understanding of the complexities of the case, this outcome would have been difficult to achieve,” he said.
He added that the case has drawn international attention, particularly due to Ghana’s use of non-conviction-based asset recovery involving virtual assets held outside the country. The outcome, he said, sends a strong signal to criminals that the use of cryptocurrency will not shield illicit proceeds from law enforcement.
The 15.191 million dollars forms part of EOCO’s total 2025 recoveries, which include 194 million dollars in direct recoveries lodged in EOCO’s exhibit account and 142.6 million dollars in indirect recoveries paid to the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Consolidated Fund.
Dr Ayine attributed the performance to the leadership of EOCO’s Executive Director, Mr Raymond Archer, and his management team under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama.
The Attorney General also disclosed that extradition request packages for former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta and his former Chief de Cabinet, Ernest Darko Kore, were submitted to the United States Department of Justice on December 10, 2025, following a formal application by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
He said the two face 78 charges, including causing financial loss to the state and using public office for private benefit, adding that further announcements involving politically exposed persons under criminal investigation would be made on Monday.
Crime and Investigation
Police Arrest Five Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue Two Victims in Nsawam Operation
Police Arrest Five Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue Two Victims in Nsawam Operation
The Nsawam District Police Command has arrested five individuals in connection with the kidnapping of two men travelling from Accra to Anyinam, following a coordinated intelligence-led operation. The victims were rescued safely and are in stable condition.
Police reports indicate that on January 10, 2026, the Command received credible intelligence that the two men had been abducted and moved to an undisclosed location. The suspects allegedly demanded a ransom of GH¢400,000 from the victims’ family and later instructed them to make an initial payment of GH¢5,000.
Acting on the information, officers from the Nsawam District Police, with support from the Suhum Police Command, mounted an operation that led to the arrest of the suspects at a drinking spot near the Suhum Roundabout.
The suspects have been identified as Suleman Salifu, 24; Godfred Owusu, 26; Antwi Bismark, 27; Anas Salis, 38; and Gyamfi Isaac, 33. The victims, Seidu Sambiane, 28, and Ibrahim Alhassan, 42, were rescued during the operation without harm.
A search of an unregistered Acura 4×4 vehicle allegedly used by the suspects resulted in the recovery of several items, including forged GH¢100 and GH¢200 notes, specimen papers cut to the size of currency notes, and an amount of GH¢4,600 in cash. Police also retrieved a pistol, a cutlass, talismans and amulets, as well as five mobile phones.
The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations as police prepare to take further legal action.
Crime and Investigation
Police Arrest 120 Suspects in Major Crackdown on Drug Dealers and Criminal Gangs in East Legon
A major police operation aimed at curbing illicit drug activities and criminal gangs in the East Legon area has resulted in the arrest of 120 suspects, including six women.
After the arrests, all suspects were taken to the East Legon Police Station, where screening is ongoing to identify individuals linked to specific criminal activities and those suspected of dealing in illegal drugs.
According to a police report, the operation was led by ACP Saviour Ahiamadi and supported by several senior officers from Police Headquarters. These included DSP Malaika-Jibril Alhassan, DSP Richard Beriko, ASP Afram, ASP Sarpong, and ASP Imoro from the Accra Region.
The exercise was a joint effort involving officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate, the Criminal Investigations Department, the National Operations Directorate, as well as the Accra and East Legon Regional Commands. The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the police to enhance security and maintain law and order in the area.
Crime and Investigation
Three Suspected Robbers Killed in Christmas Eve Gun Battle with Police in Ashanti Region
Three suspected armed robbers were shot dead during a gun battle with police on Christmas Eve in a bush between Anwiankwanta and the Jacobu Junction in the Ashanti Region.
The suspects were part of a five-member gang that reportedly opened fire on police officers after encountering them during an intelligence-led operation. Two other members of the gang escaped and are currently on the run.
The injured suspects were rushed to the Bekwai Municipal Hospital following the exchange of gunfire but were pronounced dead on arrival. They have been identified as Seidu Issah, 29; Musah Yakubu, 35; and Yahaya Munkaila, also known as Tijani, 25. Their bodies have since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue for preservation and autopsy.
A police situational report (SITREP), sighted by Graphic Online, said investigations are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects and recover additional weapons. The report noted that the deceased suspects and their accomplices were wanted in connection with several robberies and killings in Manso, Jacobu, and the Anwiankwanta area.
According to the SITREP, on December 24, 2025, police received intelligence that the gang had assembled in a bush between Anwiankwanta and the Jacobu Junction and were planning to launch an attack along the Anwiankwanta–Obuasi road.
Acting on the information, police carried out an operation using four service vehicles to raid the area. Upon arrival, officers spotted about five young men armed with guns. The suspects allegedly opened fire and attempted to flee through the bush, prompting police to return fire. Three suspects were shot, while the remaining two escaped, reportedly with gunshot wounds.
A search of the area led to the recovery of two pump-action guns loaded with six rounds of ammunition each, one unbranded pistol, and a sack containing 25 live cartridges and six spent cartridges.
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