Omanghana
Ghanaians lost an estimated US$1.3 million to mobile money fraud during the first quarter of 2025, according to the INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026.
The findings highlight the growing threat of cyber-enabled financial crime as mobile money and other digital payment services become increasingly important to households and businesses.
INTERPOL identified mobile money fraud as the most widespread online scam affecting Africa. About 97% of the African member countries surveyed reportedly listed it as a major threat to their digital economies.
The report indicated that criminal groups are becoming more organized and are using sophisticated methods to exploit weaknesses in mobile payment systems.
One of the most common techniques is social engineering, in which fraudsters manipulate victims into voluntarily disclosing sensitive information.
Attackers may send deceptive text messages, place fraudulent phone calls or distribute malicious links designed to capture passwords and mobile money personal identification numbers.
Some fraudsters impersonate telecommunications employees, bank officials, government representatives or relatives facing emergencies. Victims may then be persuaded to reveal security details or authorize fraudulent transactions.
SIM-swap fraud is another major concern. Through this method, criminals exploit weaknesses in identity verification systems to take control of a victim’s active mobile number.
Once the SIM card has been hijacked, fraudsters may intercept one-time passwords and other security notifications before transferring money from the victim’s account.
INTERPOL also warned that artificial intelligence is making online deception more convincing and difficult to detect.
Criminals are increasingly using AI-generated messages, realistic phishing content and cloned voices that sound like relatives, employers or representatives of trusted institutions. These tools allow fraudsters to create highly personalized attacks and pressure victims into acting quickly.
The report comes as Ghanaian security agencies intensify efforts to dismantle suspected cybercrime networks.
During a recent intelligence-led operation, the Cyber Security Authority, Ghana Police Service and Ghana Immigration Service raided suspected cybercrime centers at Tabora and Lashibi in Accra.
The operation reportedly resulted in the arrest of 141 suspects, most of whom were foreign nationals. Security officials also seized 38 laptops and 150 mobile phones believed to have been used in mobile money and wire fraud schemes.
INTERPOL has urged African governments to strengthen safeguards around digital payment systems and improve cooperation among financial institutions, telecommunications companies and law enforcement agencies.
The international policing organization said real-time intelligence sharing would be essential to identifying suspicious transactions, disrupting organized fraud networks and preventing stolen funds from being transferred across borders.
Mobile money users have also been advised never to disclose their PINs, passwords or one-time security codes, even when contacted by someone claiming to represent a trusted institution.
Users should independently verify unexpected calls and messages, avoid opening suspicious links and immediately report unauthorised transactions to their service providers and relevant authorities.
Source: Omanghana
