Ghanaians lost nearly GH¢500,000 to online blackmail and sextortion scams in the first four months of 2025, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has revealed.
According to CSA data, total losses surged to GH¢499,044 between January and April, a dramatic increase from the GH¢103,663 reported during the same period in 2024. The spike underscores the growing threat of cybercrime and the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by scammers.
In its latest alert, the CSA reported a slight rise in the number of cases this year compared to the 155 incidents recorded last year. The authority attributed the rise in financial loss to more aggressive extortion tactics.
Typically, scammers operate through fake social media accounts, often featuring attractive photos to lure victims into romantic conversations. Once trust is established, they coerce victims into sharing explicit content, then use that content to demand ransom payments.
Most victims pay the ransom via mobile money, hoping to avoid exposure. However, the CSA warns that paying the extortionist rarely stops the harassment. In many instances, threats continue even after victims comply.
To avoid detection, scammers frequently switch conversations to encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal.
The CSA is urging the public to remain cautious online. It advises users to avoid engaging with unfamiliar profiles, never share intimate content over the internet, and report suspicious activity through its 24-hour cybersecurity support centers.
