The Cyber Security Authority released a public alert on its official website and social media platforms warning Ghanaians about an increase in WhatsApp phishing activities. According to the agency, the scam begins when individuals receive a message containing a verification code that they did not request. A MyJoyOnline report notes that attackers then contact the victim under a false pretext to obtain the code which allows them to hijack the account.
Once the account is compromised, the Cyber Security Authority states that the perpetrators pose as the account owner to send urgent requests for money to friends and family. A GhanaWeb report indicates that these messages often claim the sender is in an emergency situation and requires immediate mobile money transfers. The agency has classified this as a sophisticated social engineering scheme that exploits the trust between contacts.
The Cyber Security Authority advises the public to never share verification codes with third parties to prevent unauthorized access. A Citi Newsroom report further highlights that the authority recommends the activation of two-step verification as an essential security layer for all WhatsApp users. The agency emphasizes that this security feature requires a personal identification number to reset or verify an account on any new device.
Official statements from the Cyber Security Authority encourage victims of these scams to report incidents through their dedicated 24 hour cybersecurity incident reporting points of contact. The authority remains committed to monitoring digital threats and providing the public with timely information to mitigate financial losses. No specific number of victims has been officially released yet although the MyJoyOnline report suggests a notable rise in cases since the start of the week.