Ghana recorded an estimated $1.3 million in losses from mobile money fraud in the first quarter of 2025, as cybercriminals continue to target the country’s expanding digital payment ecosystem.
The figure was contained in the latest INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment Report, which identified Ghana among several African countries experiencing a rise in cyber-enabled financial crimes.
According to the report, fraudsters are using various deceptive techniques to gain access to mobile money accounts and steal funds from unsuspecting users.
INTERPOL described mobile money fraud as the most common form of online scam across Africa, with 97 per cent of countries that participated in its member survey identifying it as a major cybercrime concern.
The report noted that criminals commonly use phishing, SIM-swap attacks, fake promotions and social engineering tactics to defraud victims.
It explained that the rapid growth of digital financial services across the continent has created new opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit weaknesses in mobile payment systems.
The assessment further highlighted cases where fraudsters intercept one-time passwords, take control of accounts and conduct unauthorised transactions.
INTERPOL also warned that advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are making cyber scams more sophisticated, with criminals now using AI-generated messages, voice cloning and other technologies to make fraudulent schemes appear more convincing.
The international police organisation called for stronger cooperation among law enforcement agencies, financial institutions and telecommunications companies to combat the growing threat.
It also urged countries to intensify public awareness campaigns and improve cybersecurity measures to protect users of digital financial platforms.
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