Ghana loses over GHc600,000 to Online Shopping fraud in 2025 

Ghana has lost more than GH¢600,000 to 266 online shopping fraud cases recorded between January and October 2025, highlighting escalating cyber-risks as online activity surges ahead of the Black Friday sales season.

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA), which released the data on Friday, November 28, said the rise in incidents reflects a growing wave of brand impersonation, fake e-commerce platforms, and phishing schemes targeting unsuspecting digital shoppers.

According to the Authority, cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting search engine ads, social media marketplace pages, and cloned retail websites to trick buyers into making advance payments or revealing personal financial details.

The surge in fraud coincides with Ghana’s expanding e-commerce landscape, where more consumers are turning to online platforms—creating new vulnerabilities for both shoppers and businesses.

With retailers rolling out aggressive promotional campaigns ahead of Black Friday, the CSA is urging the public to exercise heightened caution, warning that the peak shopping period offers cybercriminals a prime opportunity to exploit lapses in verification.

The Authority stressed that stronger due diligence by consumers, safer payment practices, and verification of online vendors will be essential in reducing financial losses as year-end digital transactions hit their peak.