Nearly half of all reported cases this year were linked to online fraud
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has disclosed that Ghana has lost over GH¢19 million to cybercrime between January and September 2025.
According to the Senior Manager at the Authority, Isaac Socrates Mensah, the figure reflects a troubling rise in online criminal activity, with online fraud emerging as the most widespread threat.
Speaking at a cybersecurity awareness event organised by the Financial Intelligence Centre and the CSA on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, he explained that nearly half of all reported cases this year were linked to online fraud.
Other forms of cybercrime included shopping scams, fake loan offers, romance and job scams, and unauthorised access to online accounts.
He said the CSA recorded significant financial losses across various categories, with online fraud alone accounting for GH₵12.87 million.
Cedi trades at GH¢12.41 to $1 on interbank market
Impersonation scams followed with GH₵5.66 million in losses, while online blackmail cost victims nearly GH₵595,000.
Also, unauthorised access led to losses of GH₵172,876, and information disclosure resulted in GH₵12,079.
Cyberbullying and online child sexual exploitation, though less frequent, still caused financial damage.
In response to this troubling trend, the CSA has ramped up enforcement efforts by blocking over 1,300 SIM cards linked to network-related crimes.
For account takeovers, 96 numbers were removed from Telecel, 40 from MTN, and 15 from AT.
He noted that online blackmail led to the deactivation of 39 numbers on Telecel, 84 on MTN, and 19 on AT.
Investment scams prompted the removal of 167 numbers from Telecel, 103 from MTN, and 14 from AT.
Cyberbullying cases resulted in 365 takedowns on MTN, 94 on Telecel, and 32 on AT. Mobile money fraud saw the fewest takedowns, with just 3 numbers removed from Telecel, 13 from MTN, and 3 from AT.
Beyond mobile-related cases, the CSA also shut down 203 fraudulent websites and deactivated 738 impersonation accounts posing as Members of Parliament, government officials, and public figures.
Additionally, 21 deepfake videos targeting prominent individuals and media outlets were removed for promoting fake investment schemes.
SA/MA
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