Eleven suspects have been arrested by the police for allegedly using a deepfake AI-generated video to impersonate President John Dramani Mahama.
The Cyber Vetting Enforcement Team of the police carried out the arrest of the 11 suspects, some of whom are believed to be Nigerian nationals.
The police have named them as Anipah Jonathan, 23; Dzamesi Bright Kofi, 35; Thomas Ayoyo, 17; Louis Segbawu, 18; and Raphael Ablordeppey, 32.
The others are Bishop Esiri, 46; Wisdom James, 25; Ali Lucky, 23; Edwin Edos, 22; John Kofi Darlington, 20; and Danu Peter, 19.
The police also retrieved several exhibits, 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, between May 1 and May 3, 2026, the Cyber Vetting Enforcement Team conducted coordinated cyber operations at Sogakope, Dabala, Tongu, Akatsi, and Aflao in the Volta Region.
The operations led to the arrests following intelligence on a group allegedly involved in creating and circulating an AI-generated video impersonating President Mahama.
The report added that on May 4, 2026, further cyber field tracking operations led to the arrest of five additional suspects—four Nigerians and one Ghanaian—engaged in similar online fraudulent activities in Aflao.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects used AI-generated content to fraudulently solicit money and sensitive personal information from unsuspecting members of the public via 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,” the report stated.
The police said nine out of the 11 suspects have been remanded into custody by the court and are expected to reappear on May 25, 2026. The remaining two, Thomas Ayoyo and Louis Segbawu, have been granted bail with two sureties each to be justified.
