The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has warned of a growing wave of online investment fraud in Ghana after victims lost more than GHC3.4 million to fraudulent schemes during the first six months of 2026.
In a public advisory issued on Monday, 6 July, the authority disclosed that it recorded 352 reports of online investment fraud between January and June, with the scams resulting in cumulative financial losses of GHC3,429,447.
According to the CSA, the fraudulent operations are largely orchestrated through social media platforms, where unsuspecting individuals are enticed with promises of exceptionally high investment returns.
The authority said the perpetrators often masquerade as affiliates or subsidiaries of well-known international companies to gain credibility before persuading victims to invest through mobile money transactions.
One of the brands whose identity has been exploited is Darazz, a legitimate Pakistan-based e-commerce company, which the authority said has been falsely presented as being linked to some of the investment schemes.
Investigations by the CSA indicate that victims are typically encouraged to invest in purported crypto-mining equipment leasing businesses or undertake online commercial tasks in exchange for guaranteed profits. However, after funds are transferred, investors neither receive the promised returns nor recover their capital.
The authority further revealed that the fraudsters frequently change their identities to evade law enforcement agencies and regulatory oversight. Among the names currently associated with the schemes are Darazz, Daily Trade, Ghstore, KUKA and Edollar.
The CSA urged the public to exercise caution when approached with investment opportunities offering unusually high or guaranteed returns, warning that such promises are a common feature of online investment fraud.
It also advised individuals to ignore unsolicited invitations to WhatsApp investment groups and to treat with suspicion messages claiming affiliation with reputable organisations without independent verification.
Prospective investors were encouraged to verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities through official channels or recognised regulatory institutions before making any financial commitments.
The authority further appealed to members of the public to report suspected online investment scams to support ongoing investigations and efforts to combat cyber-enabled financial crime.
