A public alert issued by the Cyber Security Authority identifies a surge in phishing activities targeting Ghanaian bank customers through the WhatsApp messaging platform. The authority stated that the perpetrators send fraudulent messages that appear to originate from reputable banking institutions. These messages typically claim there is a problem with the user account or an update is required according to an official press release from the agency.
The 3News report notes that the scammers use these fraudulent communications to trick individuals into disclosing their mobile money PINs and login credentials. Victims are often redirected to mirrored websites that mimic the official portals of their banks. The Cyber Security Authority cautioned that once users enter their details on these spoofed sites the attackers immediately gain full control over their financial accounts.
A Citi Newsroom report indicates that the Cyber Security Authority has advised the public to avoid clicking on any suspicious links received via messaging apps. The authority emphasized that legitimate financial institutions will never request personal identifiers such as passwords or PINs through social media or private messages. This warning comes amid a rise in reported cases of digital fraud across various sectors of the economy.
The Ghana Police Service and the Cyber Security Authority are reportedly monitoring the situation to identify the individuals behind the malicious campaign. The authority urged citizens to verify any questionable communication directly with their banks through official phone lines. According to the official statement users should report any suspicious digital activity to the Cyber Security Authority through their 24 hour reporting points or dedicated short codes.