The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has issued a public alert, raising significant concerns about a marked increase in online blackmail and sextortion cases targeting individuals in Ghana.
According to the Authority between January and April 2024, it recorded 155 cases involving financial losses amounting to GH¢103,663.
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However, an updated analysis for January to April 2025 reveals a slight increase in reported cases but a substantial surge in financial losses, reaching a staggering GH¢499,044.
The CSA emphasized that this data indicates the growing economic impact of these insidious online crimes and the increasingly sophisticated methods employed by cybercriminals.
The CSA detailed the common modus operandi used by these threat actors.
“Typically, criminals create fake social media profiles, often using attractive photos, to lure unsuspecting victims into believing they are seeking genuine romantic relationships.”
To mitigate the risk of falling prey to these online scams, the Cyber Security Authority issued a comprehensive set of recommendations for the public and urged that they take these recommendations seriously to protect themselves from the growing threat of online blackmail and sextortion.
Read the Cyber Security Authority’s full statement below:
