The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has seized a Lamborghini Urus luxury SUV from Ghanaian dancehall musician Shatta Wale following a formal request from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
The vehicle, a symbol of opulence and high status, was identified as an asset purchased with proceeds from a transnational fraud operation orchestrated by Ghanaian-American convict Nana Kwabena Amuah, also known as Philip Osei Tutu.
Amuah is currently serving a 64-month sentence in the United States for his role in a multi-million-dollar romance scam and business email compromise scheme that targeted American victims.
Musician complies after initial resistance
EOCO officials, acting under Ghana’s Proceeds of Crime Act, executed the seizure at Shatta Wale’s residence, where the artist initially resisted surrendering the vehicle.
According to EOCO’s official statement, he later cooperated after being briefed on the legal and criminal implications of the case.
“The vehicle has been duly secured and will be handed over to the United States authorities in accordance with the judgment issued by the US District Court,” EOCO said.
The confiscated Lamborghini is one of several assets flagged by US prosecutors in connection with Amuah’s sentencing, which includes an order to pay over $4 million in restitution to his victims.
CID, FBI, INTERPOL bust vehicle theft syndicate
In a related development, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, working in concert with the FBI and INTERPOL, has uncovered a massive international car theft ring involving 43 luxury vehicles shipped into Ghana between January and July 2025.
The vehicles — including high-end brands such as Rolls-Royce, Audi Q8, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz — were traced back to thefts in several countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Canada, the United States, Germany, Italy, and France.
Eight of the stolen vehicles have already been repatriated following court orders, ten are awaiting repatriation, and 25 remain subjects of ongoing litigation in the Ghanaian courts.
“This effective collaboration has resulted in the recovery of 43 stolen vehicles,” the CID stated. “Out of the 43 vehicles impounded, investigations have been completed, and the courts have ordered that 18 of them should be returned to their countries of origin.”
Ghana strengthens asset recovery measures
The seizure of the Lamborghini from Shatta Wale and the broader crackdown on smuggled luxury cars underscore Ghana’s renewed commitment to international cooperation in fighting financial crimes and illicit asset concealment.
EOCO has urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies as Ghana tightens its anti-money laundering framework and bolsters efforts to trace and recover proceeds of crime.
“The agency will continue to work with international partners to ensure that Ghana does not become a safe haven for illicit assets,” EOCO emphasised.
The unfolding saga signals a deeper collaboration between Ghanaian law enforcement and global agencies as the country plays a more active role in transnational crime prevention and asset restitution.
