11 people arrested for using deepfake AI-generated video to impersonate President Mahama
Eleven suspects have been arrested by the police for allegedly using deepfake AI-generated video to impersonate President John Dramani Mahama.
The Cyber Vetting Enforcement Team of the police made the arrest of the 11 suspects some of whom are said to be Nigerian nationals.
The police has 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 retrieved several exhibits including laptops, mobile phones, internet routers, 120 pre-registered SIM cards and a Nigeria registered vehicle, an ML 350 Mercedes Benz with registration number Lagos LSR 138HR.
A police situational report said between May 1 and 3, 2026, the Cyber Vetting Enforcement Team conducted coordinated cyber operations at Sogakope, Dabala, Tongu, Akatsi and Aflao in the Volta Region, which led to the arrest of the suspects, following intelligence on a group of individuals allegedly involved in the creation and online circulation of AI-generated video impersonating President Mahama.
It said on May 4, 2026, further cyber field tracking operation also led to the arrest of an additional five suspects, four of whom are Nigerians and one Ghanaian, engaged in similar online fraudulent activities in Aflao.
According to the police a preliminary investigation indicates that the suspects used AI-generated content to fraudulently solicit money and sensitive personal information from unsuspecting members of the public 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 said nine out of the 11 suspects have since been remanded into police custody by court for them to reappear on May 25, 2026.
Two others - Thomas Ayoyo and Louis Segbawu have been granted bail with two sureties to be justified.
