Ghana Records $1.3 Million Mobile Money Fraud Losses in Early 2025

Ghana suffered an estimated $1.3 million in mobile money fraud losses during the first quarter of 2025, according to the INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, underscoring the growing threat cybercriminals pose to the country’s expanding digital payment ecosystem.

The report identifies Ghana as one of several African countries experiencing a rise in cyber-enabled financial crimes targeting mobile money users. INTERPOL noted that the rapid adoption of digital financial services has created new opportunities for fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting customers.

According to the assessment, mobile money fraud has emerged as the most widespread cyber-enabled financial crime across Africa, with 97 percent of surveyed member states describing it as a major cybersecurity concern.

INTERPOL said criminals commonly use phishing messages, SIM-swap attacks, fake promotional campaigns, and social engineering tactics to gain access to victims’ mobile money accounts before stealing their funds.

The report further revealed that cybercriminals are taking advantage of weaknesses within mobile payment systems to intercept one-time passwords (OTPs), compromise customer accounts, and authorise fraudulent transactions.

Beyond Ghana, Kenya also recorded a significant increase in mobile money-related fraud. Authorities there reportedly detected more than 123,000 fraudulent SIM cards in 2025 linked to SIM-swap schemes.

INTERPOL also warned that advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are making online scams more convincing. Fraudsters are increasingly deploying AI-generated messages, cloned voices, and other deceptive technologies to manipulate victims into revealing sensitive financial information or approving fraudulent transfers.

To curb the growing threat, INTERPOL is calling for stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and telecommunications operators. The organisation also urged governments and stakeholders to intensify public awareness campaigns and strengthen cybersecurity measures to better protect users of digital financial services across the continent.

Ghana suffered an estimated $1.3 million in mobile money fraud losses during the first quarter of 2025, according to the INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, underscoring the growing threat cybercriminals pose to the country’s expanding digital payment ecosystem.

The report identifies Ghana as one of several African countries experiencing a rise in cyber-enabled financial crimes targeting mobile money users. INTERPOL noted that the rapid adoption of digital financial services has created new opportunities for fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting customers.

According to the assessment, mobile money fraud has emerged as the most widespread cyber-enabled financial crime across Africa, with 97 percent of surveyed member states describing it as a major cybersecurity concern.

INTERPOL said criminals commonly use phishing messages, SIM-swap attacks, fake promotional campaigns, and social engineering tactics to gain access to victims’ mobile money accounts before stealing their funds.

The report further revealed that cybercriminals are taking advantage of weaknesses within mobile payment systems to intercept one-time passwords (OTPs), compromise customer accounts, and authorise fraudulent transactions.

Beyond Ghana, Kenya also recorded a significant increase in mobile money-related fraud. Authorities there reportedly detected more than 123,000 fraudulent SIM cards in 2025 linked to SIM-swap schemes.

INTERPOL also warned that advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are making online scams more convincing. Fraudsters are increasingly deploying AI-generated messages, cloned voices, and other deceptive technologies to manipulate victims into revealing sensitive financial information or approving fraudulent transfers.

To curb the growing threat, INTERPOL is calling for stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and telecommunications operators. The organisation also urged governments and stakeholders to intensify public awareness campaigns and strengthen cybersecurity measures to better protect users of digital financial services across the continent.

Ghana suffered an estimated $1.3 million in mobile money fraud losses during the first quarter of 2025, according to the INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, underscoring the growing threat cybercriminals pose to the country’s expanding digital payment ecosystem.

The report identifies Ghana as one of several African countries experiencing a rise in cyber-enabled financial crimes targeting mobile money users. INTERPOL noted that the rapid adoption of digital financial services has created new opportunities for fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting customers.

According to the assessment, mobile money fraud has emerged as the most widespread cyber-enabled financial crime across Africa, with 97 percent of surveyed member states describing it as a major cybersecurity concern.

INTERPOL said criminals commonly use phishing messages, SIM-swap attacks, fake promotional campaigns, and social engineering tactics to gain access to victims’ mobile money accounts before stealing their funds.

The report further revealed that cybercriminals are taking advantage of weaknesses within mobile payment systems to intercept one-time passwords (OTPs), compromise customer accounts, and authorise fraudulent transactions.

Beyond Ghana, Kenya also recorded a significant increase in mobile money-related fraud. Authorities there reportedly detected more than 123,000 fraudulent SIM cards in 2025 linked to SIM-swap schemes.

INTERPOL also warned that advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are making online scams more convincing. Fraudsters are increasingly deploying AI-generated messages, cloned voices, and other deceptive technologies to manipulate victims into revealing sensitive financial information or approving fraudulent transfers.

To curb the growing threat, INTERPOL is calling for stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, and telecommunications operators. The organisation also urged governments and stakeholders to intensify public awareness campaigns and strengthen cybersecurity measures to better protect users of digital financial services across the continent.