The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has recorded an exponential surge in cyberbullying incidents associated with digital lending mobile applications this year.

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Between January and May, the Authority received 377 reports, marking a sharp increase compared to the 228 cases reported throughout the entire year 2024.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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).

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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.

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"Individuals who patronise these services do so at their own risk," the authority warned.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

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The CSA has recorded financial losses of GH¢499,044 between January and April 2025, as against GH¢103,663 recorded in the same period last year in cases of online blackmail and sextortion in Ghana.

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A total of 155 cases were recorded between January and April 2024.

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However, during the same period in 2025, the number of cases surged, and the financial losses ballooned to GH¢499,044.

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The CSA revealed that its data points to increasingly sophisticated methods being employed by cybercriminals and highlights the growing economic impact of such incidents.

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It further revealed that the actors use social media to lure their victims.

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To combat this growing menace, the CSA advised the public to keep their social media accounts private and avoid storing sensitive content on their devices.

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The Authority discouraged payment of ransom as it encourages repeated demands and does not guarantee deletion of the content.

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"Preserve all evidence, take screenshots, record usernames, URLs, messages, and payment demands," the Authority instructed.

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