₵4.4M Lost in Online Fraud Between January and March 2025- CSA
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) of Ghana has reported that over four million cedis were lost to online fraud in the first quarter of 2025.
This is a sharp increase in the number of online fraud from 194 cases recorded in the first quarter of 2024 to 305 cases in the first quarter of 2025.
“The total financial loss has surged from GHC 2,404,161 recorded last year to GHC 4,425,851,” it announced in a statement while cautioning the public to be wary of malicious actors.
Modus Operandi
The Authority observes that unsuspecting victims fall to these online frauds which come in the disguise of Online Shopping, Brand Impersonation and Phishing Scams.
According to CSA, malicious actors create fake online shops or impersonate existing businesses on social media pages, offering heavily discounted goods.
Victims are enticed to send money for these deals but never receive the items.
In cases of Brand Impersonation, it said, the perpetrators create fake business listings or profiles with their contact details on Google Maps mimicking legitimate businesses or brands and use search engine optimisation techniques to manipulate search results for the targeted brand to divert legitimate inquiries to the scammers’ contact members.
After the unsuspecting victims engage and pay (usually to a mobile money wallet) for products, the scammers block them from making further contacts, while product delivery does not take place.
In Phishing Scams, it said malicious actors send unsolicited emails or messages claiming to be from a romantic partner, or a company offering deals associated with the festive season.
These messages contain links or attachments that, when clicked, install malicious software (malware) or steal personal information.
Precautionary Measures
It advised the public to be cautious of unsolicited messages offering exciting or “too good to be true” deals connected to the festive season; use a reputable online marketplace or retailer when purchasing items or gifts; and verify on the official website or with reliable sources to validate the contact details of the shop you are searching for rather than Search engines.
Additionally, it has advised the public to insist on payment only after delivery and inspection and ensure that mobile money payments are made to wallets in the name of the online shop you are dealing with.
It also cautioned against sharing personal information such as Ghana card number, credit card information, or bank account details with anyone.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
