The Cyber Security Authority of Ghana issued a formal public alert regarding an increase in SIM swap fraud incidents. According to an official statement from the authority, criminals are targeting mobile users to gain unauthorized access to their financial information and bank accounts.
Reports from 3News indicate that several victims experienced significant financial losses within a forty eight hour period. The Cyber Security Authority explains that the scam typically begins with a fraudster contacting a victim while claiming to be a technical representative of a mobile network operator. The suspect then convinces the victim to provide sensitive information or perform specific actions that lead to the disconnection of their legitimate SIM card.
A Graphic Online report notes that once the scammer successfully clones or swaps the SIM card, they receive all incoming calls and text messages intended for the victim. This access allows the perpetrators to bypass two factor authentication protocols used by major Ghanaian banks and mobile money services. The Cybersecurity Authority warns that this method is increasingly being used to facilitate large unauthorized withdrawals from personal accounts.
Official guidance from the regulator advises the public to remain vigilant and never share one time passwords or personal identification numbers with anyone. The Cyber Security Authority recommends that individuals contact their mobile network providers immediately if their phone signal disappears unexpectedly. Citifmonline adds that the authority is working with the National Communications Authority and law enforcement to track these fraudulent activities across the country.