The Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Mr. Samuel George, has issued a stern warning that any individual found assisting foreign nationals in acquiring Ghanaian passports or Ghana Cards will face strict legal consequences.
Describing the act as a criminal offence, Mr. George emphasized that the law will be applied decisively to any Ghanaian involved, serving as a deterrent to others.
His comments follow recent intelligence-led operations by security agencies targeting organised cybercrime networks across the country. On Saturday, December 27, a coordinated early-morning operation in Lashibi and Tabora resulted in the arrest of 141 suspects linked to Mobile Money (MoMo) fraud and other cyber-enabled financial crimes.
The operation involved the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), the Ghana Police Service, National Security, and the Ghana Immigration Service, and focused on key locations in Accra, including Tabora and Lashibi.
Speaking to Channel One Newsroom on the same day, the Minister cautioned Ghanaians against facilitating illegal acquisition of identity documents by foreigners.
“I want to send a clear message to Ghanaians who help other nationals acquire Ghanaian nationality through passports and Ghana Cards: this is a criminal offence. We are building a solid case. If you are a Ghanaian, please desist from this practice. We urge you to do the right thing,” he said.
Mr. George further warned that once the law takes its course, no amount of pleading would prevent prosecution.
“In today’s raid, the landlord is from Prampram. The last raid was in Dawhenya, my constituency. Irrespective of who you are or where you come from, if you fall foul of the law, we will ensure it deals decisively with you to serve as a deterrent,” he added.
Investigations into the arrested suspects are ongoing, and security agencies have vowed to continue cracking down on cybercrime and related offences nationwide.
