EOCO and the UK’s NCA have launched a campaign to fight online romance scams in Ghana.

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The goal is to educate people about these scams, where fraudsters trick victims into fake online relationships to steal money.

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As part of the effort, EOCO and NCA will share information, work together to track down fraudsters, and encourage the public to report such crimes.

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The campaign will use posters, social media, and community programs to spread awareness.

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To report a scam, the public can call 0547-419-419 or 0800-910-910.

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Collective Action

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The NCA’s International Liaison Officer, Dominic Cummins, has raised concerns about the increasing threat of fraud and the need for countries to work together to fight it.

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“Fraud accounts for over 40 percent of crimes in the UK, making it a key priority for the UK government to tackle both domestically and internationally,” he stated.

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Mr. Cummins explained that scammers use clever tricks to target vulnerable people, often leaving them in serious financial and emotional distress. Since these crimes happen online, fraudsters can operate from anywhere in the world while staying hidden, making it essential for different countries to work together to catch and punish them.

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He also stressed that the partnership between the NCA and EOCO has been vital in fighting organised crime that affects both Ghana and the UK.

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Implications

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The Deputy Director of Legal and Prosecutions at EOCO, Anthony Leo Siamah, has highlighted the serious effects of romance scams, pointing out both the legal consequences and ongoing efforts to stop them.

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“Romance fraud not only drains victims of their hard-earned money but also causes emotional and psychological distress,” he said.

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He cautioned that these scams are damaging Ghana’s reputation, as fraudsters use online platforms to deceive people, often targeting victims in other countries.

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Mr. Siamah explained that with more people using the internet and mobile money, scammers have found new ways to operate, making it harder to catch and punish them.

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However, he is confident that EOCO’s partnership with the NCA will strengthen investigations, improve international cooperation, educate the public, and introduce new regulations to crack down on romance scams.

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