Ghanaians lose GH¢3.4m to online investment scams in six months, Cyber Security Authority warns
The Cyber Security Authority says 352 online investment fraud cases have been reported in Ghana in the first half of 2026, with victims losing more than GH¢3.4 million to fake investment schemes promoted on social media.
Hundreds of Ghanaians have lost more than GH¢3.4m to fraudulent online investment schemes in the first six months of 2026, according to the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), which is urging the public to be wary of promises of high investment returns.
In a public advisory issued on Monday, the Cyber Security Authority said it recorded 352 cases of online investment fraud between January and June, with victims losing a combined GH¢3,429,447.
The Authority said fraudsters are increasingly exploiting social media platforms to advertise fake investment opportunities before directing victims to transfer money through mobile money services.
According to the CSA, the scammers often seek to gain public trust by falsely claiming to be affiliated with well-known international companies.
One of the brands being impersonated is Daraz, a legitimate e-commerce platform headquartered in Pakistan, whose name has been used without authorisation to lure unsuspecting investors.
The Authority also identified other names currently being used by the fraudsters, including Daily Trade, Ghstore, KUKA and Edollar.
The CSA said the schemes typically promise exceptionally high or guaranteed returns from purported cryptocurrency mining ventures or online businesses.
Victims, however, neither receive the promised profits nor recover the money they invested.
"The threat actors frequently rebrand themselves to evade detection by law enforcement agencies, local regulators and users," the Authority said.
The CSA urged the public to be cautious of investment offers that promise unusually high or guaranteed returns, warning that such claims are often a hallmark of fraud.
It also advised Ghanaians to avoid joining unsolicited WhatsApp investment groups or responding to messages purporting to represent reputable organisations without first verifying their authenticity.
Prospective investors have been encouraged to confirm the legitimacy of any investment opportunity through official channels and recognised regulators before committing funds.
The Authority further appealed to members of the public to report suspected cyber-enabled investment fraud to support ongoing investigations.