Cyber Security Authority reports nearly GH¢500,000 lost to sextortion and online blackmail in 4 months
Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has issued a serious public warning following a sharp rise in online blackmail and sextortion cases, which have cost victims nearly GH¢500,000 in just the first four months of 2025.
Recent data from the CSA shows 155 reported incidents between January and April—only a slight increase compared to the same period in 2024. However, the financial impact has escalated dramatically, jumping from GH¢103,663 in early 2024 to a staggering GH¢499,044 this year.
The Ghana Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has attributed the sharp increase in financial losses from online blackmail and sextortion to more advanced and manipulative tactics being used by cybercriminals.
According to the CSA, investigations show that perpetrators often create fake social media profiles—typically featuring attractive images—to lure victims by posing as individuals seeking romantic connections. Once contact is made, they work quickly to gain the victim’s trust and initiate sexually explicit conversations or video calls, which are secretly recorded without the victim’s knowledge. These recordings are later used as blackmail material.
Victims are threatened with public exposure unless they pay a ransom, usually via mobile money. Alarmingly, in many cases, paying the ransom does not stop the threats; instead, they often continue or intensify.
The CSA has also identified a growing use of encrypted messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal by cybercriminals, making it harder for authorities to trace communications and apprehend offenders.
In light of this rising threat, the Authority is urging the public to be more cautious online. Social media users are advised to keep their profiles private, avoid accepting unsolicited friend requests, and be wary of strangers who attempt to initiate romantic or sexual conversations too quickly.
The CSA strongly discourages the sharing of intimate images or videos online—even with people who seem trustworthy. In the event of a sextortion attempt, victims are advised not to engage further with the blackmailer and not to pay any ransom, as doing so does not ensure the deletion of sensitive material.
Instead, victims should preserve all relevant evidence, including messages, usernames, and payment details, and report the incident immediately to the CSA. The Authority also encourages victims to seek emotional support from family or mental health professionals to cope with the trauma.
The CSA provides a 24-hour incident reporting center, reachable by text at 292, via WhatsApp at 0501603111, or by email at [email protected]. Officials emphasize that prompt reporting is crucial in halting the spread of cybercrime and bringing offenders to justice.
