The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) Ghana has reported that in just the first four months of 2025 (January to April), Ghanaians lost about GHS500,000 (GH¢499,044) in 157 online blackmail and sextortion cases.
This represents a very significant 381.4% increase from losses made in the same period a year before (January – April, 2024), which stood at GHS103,663 from 155 cases.
So, whereas the number of online blackmail and sextortion cases recorded between January and April 2025 was higher than that of 2024 by just two extra cases, the financial loss in 2025 is as much as GHS395,381 more than that of 2024.
It said the data points to increasingly sophisticated methods being employed by cybercriminals and highlights the growing economic impact of such incidents.
According to CSA the main modus operandi of the cybercriminals follow the pattern below:
- They usually create fake social media profiles using attractive photos to lure victims, often pretending to be someone looking for romantic relationships.
- After gaining the victim’s trust, they initiate explicit video calls or solicit private photos.
- The explicit sessions are secretly recorded or saved without the victim’s consent.
- They then threaten to release the compromising materials unless a ransom is paid, usually via mobile money.
- In some cases, even after payment is made, the threats continue or escalate.
- Sextortionists then move conversations to encrypted platforms (e.g., WhatsApp,
Telegram, Signal) to reduce traceability.
CSA is therefore urging the public to adopt the following strategies to avoid becoming a victim of and or helping to trace and arrest online blackmailers and sextortionists:
- Avoid accepting friend requests from unknown individuals on social media
- Be cautious of quickly progressing online relationships, particularly those requesting
intimate content. Never share such content. - Avoid sharing intimate content with strangers online, even if they seem trustworthy.
- Keep social media accounts private, and limit who can view your content.
- Avoid capturing or storing nude images or videos of yourself on any device.
- Immediately cease all communication with the threat actors should you fall victim.
- Do not pay any ransom, it encourages repeated demands and does not guarantee
deletion of the content. - Preserve all evidence, take screenshots, record usernames, URLs, messages, and
payment demand. - Report incident to the CSA and inform a trusted family member or counsellor for
emotional support.
According to CSA, it has 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Points of Contact (PoC) for reporting cybercrimes and receiving guidance and clarification on suspected scams. CSA can be contacted through the following channels:
- Call or Text – 292
- WhatsApp – 0501603111
- Email – report@csa.gov.gh.
