Police arrest 11 over deepfake videos impersonating President Mahama

Eleven people have been arrested in the Volta Region over an alleged online fraud operation involving deepfake videos of President John Dramani Mahama.

The Inspector-General of Police’s Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team carried out the arrests between May 1 and May 4, 2026, following intelligence on a suspected cybercrime network.

Police say the suspects used artificial intelligence-generated videos to impersonate the President and deceive members of the public into sending money or sharing sensitive personal details online.

The operations took place in Sogakope, Dabala, Tongu, Akatsi and Aflao.

Five of the suspects are Nigerian nationals, while the remaining six are Ghanaians.

According to police, the first phase of the operation was conducted between May 1 and May 3. It led to the arrest of five suspects identified as Raphael Ablordeppey, 32; Anipah Jonathan, 23; Dzamesi Bright Kofi, 35; Thomas Ayoyo, 17; and Louis Segbawu, 18.

Investigators allege that this group was involved in creating and sharing fake digital videos that presented the President as making statements or endorsements he had not made.

A second operation on May 4 led officers to Aflao, where six more suspects were arrested for similar alleged online fraud activities.

They are Bishop Esiri, 46; Wisdom James, 25; Ali Lucky, 23; Edwin Edos, 22; John Kofi Darlington, 20; and Danu Peter, 19.

Police say Mr Peter is the only Ghanaian in the second group.

Several items were seized during the operations, including laptops, mobile phones, internet routers and 120 pre-registered SIM cards.

Officers also retrieved a Nigerian-registered Mercedes Benz ML 350 with registration number LSR 138HR.

Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects may be part of a wider syndicate using fraudulent digital content to impersonate prominent public figures for financial gain.

The suspects were put before court on May 6, 2026.

Nine of them were remanded into police custody and are expected to reappear on May 25, 2026.

Thomas Ayoyo and Louis Segbawu were granted bail with two justified sureties each.