Nigerian Arrested Over Alleged Cybercrime, Debit Card Fraud In Ghana

A Ghana-based Nigerian national, Aderinsola Oluwanitemi Adeleye, has been arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in Ghana over alleged cybercrime and financial fraud involving debit cards issued by banks in the United States.

According to reports, Adeleye came under investigation on June 25, 2026, following a series of suspicious transactions carried out with US-issued ATM cards at Point of Sale (PoS) terminals located at selected filling stations in Ghana.

The development reportedly prompted the manager of Haatso Shell Filling Station in Accra to alert law enforcement authorities after the business received a complaint from Ecobank Ghana concerning a suspicious PoS transaction conducted at the station.

Local investigations at the filling station allegedly revealed that two employees were involved in facilitating the transactions. The employees were subsequently handed over to the police and they reportedly confessed to collaborating with Adeleye in carrying out the alleged fraudulent withdrawals.

Reports indicated that Adeleye, who owns a cement block manufacturing business in Accra, later returned to the filling station at about 8 p.m. on the same day and was identified by staff members, leading to his arrest.

A search conducted by security operatives at the scene allegedly led to the recovery of a Beretta pistol loaded with two rounds of 9mm live ammunition and a Citibank Visa debit card.

Authorities also reportedly discovered 15 rounds of live 9mm ammunition and one empty 9mm shell casing concealed in a drawer during a subsequent search of the suspect’s office.

Investigators said Adeleye had already been on the radar of Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority over alleged involvement in cyber-related financial crimes prior to his arrest.

Further searches carried out under a warrant on June 27 reportedly led to the seizure of several electronic devices, including two mobile phones, from his residence.

During interrogation, Adeleye reportedly told investigators that an acquaintance in the United States, identified as Gail Oneara, sent him the Citibank debit card as a gift with an available balance of about $10,000.

He allegedly claimed to have withdrawn approximately $8,000 from the account before his arrest.

Investigators later established that Ecobank Ghana had received a fraud complaint from Citibank through Visa International regarding unauthorised transactions conducted on debit cards belonging to two Citibank customers.

Officials further alleged that proceeds from the scheme were invested in several assets, including a four-bedroom storey building, a cement block manufacturing business, a black Nissan ZNA pickup vehicle and other properties.

Meanwhile, security agencies have launched a manhunt for other suspected members of the syndicate who remain at large.

The operation reportedly involved the Ghana Police Service, INTERPOL and other relevant security agencies as investigations continued.