GH¢3.4m vanishes in online investment scam surge
Fraudulent online investment schemes continue to claim victims across Ghana, with more than GH¢3.4 million lost in the first half of 2026 alone, according to the Cyber Security Authority (CSA).
The Authority says hundreds of people have been deceived by online platforms promising quick and unusually high returns, only for investors to lose their money after making payments through mobile money channels.
Data released by the CSA shows that 352 cases of online investment fraud were recorded between January and June this year, resulting in losses amounting to GH¢3,429,447.
In a public alert, the Authority noted that scammers are increasingly using social media to market fake investment opportunities, often portraying themselves as representatives or partners of well-known international companies to gain the confidence of potential victims.
The CSA cited cases in which fraudsters used the name of Daraz, the Pakistan-based e-commerce company, to create the impression that their operations were legitimate.
Some victims were reportedly told their funds would be invested in ventures such as cryptocurrency mining equipment leasing and online businesses, with promises of substantial profits.
“Victims are promised substantial returns, but once funds are transferred, they neither receive any returns nor recover their initial investment,” the Authority stated.
According to the CSA, the operators frequently change the names of their platforms to avoid detection and continue targeting new victims. Recent names linked to the schemes include Daraz, Daily Trade, Ghstore, KUKA and Edollar.
The Authority is urging the public to thoroughly verify investment opportunities before committing funds and to be wary of unsolicited messages, suspicious WhatsApp groups and platforms offering unrealistic returns.
It also encouraged individuals to report suspected scams and cybercrime-related activities through its official reporting channels to support ongoing investigations and help protect others from falling victim to similar schemes.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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