A total of thirty-nine (39) individuals have been arrested in Tema Community 25 in Accra in a crackdown on cybercrime networks by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in a joint operation.

They were arrested on Thursday, August 21, after an intelligence-led surveillance, according to preliminary reports. The arrested include three minors. Digital devices, including laptops and other materials, are said to have been seized to aid forensic investigation.

All the arrested individuals are set to be transported to the CID headquarters in Accra for profiling and further questioning. The recent arrest forms part of a national strategy to combat online fraud and financial scams as well as related cyber-enabled crimes.

Between January and March of this year, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) reported that over GHS4 million was lost to scammers. In a post on their official Facebook page, the CSA highlighted a sharp increase in online fraud cases, with 305 incidents recorded in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 194 cases during the same period last year. The total financial loss has surged from GHS 2,404,161 in 2024 to GHS 4,425,851 in 2025.

"The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has received 305 cases of online fraud between January and March this year, a significant increase from 194 cases recorded during the same period last year. Similarly, the total financial loss has surged from GHS 2,404,161 recorded last year to GHS 4,425,851 this year," the CSA stated in its post.

The authority noted that scammers have been taking advantage of the increased commercial activity during festive seasons such as Eid al-Fitr and Easter. These periods, which see a surge in consumer spending and online shopping, have become prime targets for fraudsters.

The CSA outlined several common tactics used by scammers to deceive victims. Fraudsters often create fake online stores or impersonate legitimate businesses on social media, offering deeply discounted products and encouraging victims to make payments for items that never arrive.

Scammers also create fraudulent business listings on Google Maps or fake profiles, manipulating search engine results. Consumers searching for legitimate businesses are diverted to scammers, who then collect payments for products or services that are never delivered.

Additionally, cybercriminals send deceptive emails or messages, often claiming to be from a romantic partner or a company offering festive deals. These messages contain links or attachments that, when clicked, either steal personal data or install harmful malware.

As online scams continue to rise, the CSA is urging the public to exercise caution, particularly during high-traffic shopping seasons like Eid al-Fitr and Easter. The authority has provided several recommendations to help individuals safeguard themselves. Consumers are advised to be cautious of unsolicited offers; if a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.

They should avoid clicking on suspicious links or messages offering unbelievable discounts tied to festive seasons. When shopping online, it is important to stick to reputable online stores and thoroughly check reviews before making a purchase.

Scammers often manipulate search engine results to mislead consumers, so it is essential to verify business details through official websites or reliable sources before engaging. Consumers should ensure secure payments by only making payments after inspecting the goods, and for mobile payments, ensure the transaction is directed to the official account of the business.

Lastly, consumers are advised to protect their personal information by never sharing sensitive personal details, such as Ghana Card numbers or bank account information, with unverified contacts or websites.

Also, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has recorded an exponential surge in cyberbullying incidents associated with digital lending mobile applications this year. Between January and May, the Authority received 377 reports, marking a sharp increase compared to the 228 cases reported throughout the entire year of 2024.

The apps that have been identified include Miniloan, Mix Loan, Devtage loan, Ozzy money-cash, Plus Cash Arrow, Fundscredit, Getloan, Kcash, Bestloan, Gcash, Daraloan, Loan Base, Tap Loan, Gh Loans, Sune credit, Urgent Money, Sparkloan, Skyloan, Loancloudgh, Pea Money, Cash Arrow.

The rest are HastyCredit, Lever credit, Molo credit, Sunloan pro, Nina loan, Upper loan, Wohia loan, Morloan pro, MumuMoney, Credit bag, Lever credit, Get loan, Ozzy credit, Molocredit, Soarcredit, E+money, Taploan, Dream Fund, Swftcredit, RocketLoan Turbo, DEVTAGE Financial, Vinvedo Wealth, Credit well, Newgry, Easy Buy, Sika Sika, WePay.

According to Bank of Ghana (BoG) Notices BG/GOV/SEC/2022/10 and BG/GOV/SEC/2023/07, these apps violate the provisions of the Banks and Specialised Deposit-Taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930).

In addition, the owners of the apps have not met the compliance obligations of the Data Protection Commission (DPC), and thus their access and use of the data and PII of users violate the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843).

The CSA has therefore advised the public against subscribing to these mobile applications as they are not sanctioned by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Data Protection Commission. "Individuals who patronise these services do so at their own risk," the authority warned.

The modus operandi used by the fraudsters, according to the CSA, begins with an automatic credit of an amount less than GHC200 into the user's mobile money wallet even without an actual loan request upon the installation of the app.

A week later, the fraudsters demand loan repayment with high interest rates from the victim or an associate. They then threaten to circulate actual or fabricated nude photos of the victim on social media, as well as label the victim as a thief or a wanted criminal.

"Even after victims repay, some fraudsters continue to demand additional payments," the Authority noted.

This is possible as the victims would have granted these apps access to their data (contacts, photos) and personally identifiable information (PII) such as Ghana card ID, during the installation.

The public has been urged to report cybercrimes and seek guidance as well as assistance on the CSA's 24-hour online activities. Call or text -292, WhatsApp 0501603111, or email report@csa.gov.gh.

The CSA continues to support victims and anyone seeking advice on cybercrimes. They can be contacted through the 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Points of Contact (PoC) via call/text at 292, WhatsApp at 0501603111, or email at report@icsa.gov.gh. Consumers are urged to remain vigilant and follow these guidelines to avoid falling victim to fraud.