Ahead of the Valentine's day celebration, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has cautioned the general public to be mindful of the activities of cyber scammers who take advantage of the day to defraud people.

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The Authority in a statement issued on February 9, 2023 and sighted by the Independent Ghana, said while people genuinely express their affection for others by sending gifts or items with messages or love, malicious cyber actors also take advantage of the day to defraud people.Thus, the Authority by the alert is reminding the public to exercise caution and due diligence in their online activities.

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How the scammers operate?In first instance termed as "Romance Scams," the Authority explained that malicious actors create fake online profiles to deceive victims into believing they are engaging in a trusting relationship." They use the relationship to persuade the victims to send money, provide personal and financial information, or purchase items for them.

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"In another instance termed as "Sopping Fraud," malicious actors create fake websites or online shops or impersonate existing businesses on social media pages, offering heavily discounted packages and items."Victims are enticed to send money for these deals but never receive the promised packages/items.

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"The Authority also mentioned "Phishing Scams" whereby malicious actors send unsolicited emails or messages claiming to be from a romantic partner, or from a company offering Valentine's Day deals."These messages contain links or attachments that when clicked, install malicious software (malware), or steal personal information.

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"Also, in what has been classified as "Lottery and Prize Scams," malicious actors contact victims and claim that they have won a prize or lottery for a Valentine's Day gift but need to pay a fee or provide personal information to claim the prize.Last but not the least, the Authority mentioned "Charity Scam" whereby malicious actors may contact victims and claim to be a charity organization.

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"They may ask for donations for Valentine's Day gifts for needy children and other related causes."The Authority thus warned the public to be "wary of unsolicited messages or emails claiming to be from a romantic partner."It also cautioned against "too good to be true" deals on Valentine's Day packages or gifts.

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"Do not share personal information such as your Ghana card number, credit card information, or bank account details with anyone, especially if you do not know them well," the Authority added.Also, it advised citizens to use a reputable online marketplace or retailer when purchasing Valentine's Day gifts. Look for reviews and customer feedback before making online purchase.

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Individuals who encounter any of the aforementioned instances can reach out to the Authority and report the incident.

CSA has a 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Point of Contact (PoC) for reporting cybercrimes and for seeking guidance and assistance on online activities. Call or Text - 292, WhatsApp - 050 160 3111, Email - mailto:report@csa.gov.gh."Source: The Independent Ghana

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