A major cybercrime crackdown in the Volta Region has led to the arrest of 11 individuals accused of using artificial intelligence-generated videos to impersonate President John Dramani Mahama in online scams.
The suspects were picked up by the police’s Cyber Vetting Enforcement Team during a series of coordinated operations carried out between May 1 and May 3, 2026, across Sogakope, Dabala, Tongu, Akatsi and Aflao. Investigators say the operation followed intelligence gathered on a network allegedly producing and distributing deepfake videos featuring the president.
Among those arrested are Anipah Jonathan, 23, Dzamesi Bright Kofi, 35, Thomas Ayoyo, 17, Louis Segbawu, 18, Raphael Ablordeppey, 32, Bishop Esiri, 46, Wisdom James, 25, Ali Lucky, 23, Edwin Edos, 22, John Kofi Darlington, 20, and Danu Peter, 19. Some of the suspects are believed to be Nigerian nationals.
Police retrieved several items during the operation, including laptops, mobile phones, internet routers, 120 pre-registered SIM cards, and a Nigeria-registered Mercedes Benz ML 350 with registration number Lagos LSR 138HR.
According to a police situational report, another cyber field tracking exercise conducted on May 4, 2026, resulted in the arrest of five more suspects in Aflao. The report said four of them are Nigerians while one is Ghanaian, and all are allegedly linked to similar online fraud schemes.
Preliminary investigations, the police said, suggest the group used AI-generated videos and other digital content to deceive unsuspecting victims into sending money and releasing sensitive personal information through online platforms.
“It was further established that the suspects are part of a wider network engaged in the creation and dissemination of fraudulent digital contents designed to impersonate high-profile personalities for financial gains,” it said.
The report added that nine of the 11 suspects have been remanded into police custody and are expected to reappear before court on May 25, 2026.
Two others, Thomas Ayoyo and Louis Segbawu, were granted bail with two justified sureties.
