Ghanaians lost an estimated $1.3 million to mobile money fraud during the first quarter of 2025, according to the INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026, underscoring the growing threat of cybercrime targeting digital payment users.
The report lists Ghana among several African countries experiencing a sharp rise in mobile money scams as cybercriminals increasingly exploit digital financial platforms to steal from unsuspecting users.
According to INTERPOL, mobile money fraud has become the most widespread form of online fraud across the continent, with 97 percent of member countries that participated in its cybercrime survey identifying it as a major cybersecurity threat.
The report says fraudsters commonly use tactics such as fake text messages, SIM-swap attacks, fraudulent promotional offers and other forms of social engineering to gain access to victims’ mobile wallets and siphon funds.
“Mobile money fraud has emerged as the most prevalent online scam reported by member countries,” the report stated.
INTERPOL noted that the rapid growth of digital financial services across Africa has created new opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit weaknesses in online payment systems.
The report also highlighted Kenya as one of the countries hardest hit by mobile money fraud. In 2025, authorities uncovered more than 123,000 fraudulent SIM cards linked to SIM-swap scams, which allow criminals to take control of victims’ mobile money accounts and carry out unauthorized transactions.
INTERPOL further warned that advances in artificial intelligence are making online scams increasingly sophisticated. Cybercriminals are now using AI-generated messages, cloned voices and other deceptive technologies to trick people into revealing sensitive financial information or approving fraudulent transactions.
To curb the growing menace, the report called for stronger collaboration between law enforcement agencies, financial institutions and telecommunications companies.
It also urged governments and stakeholders to intensify public awareness campaigns and strengthen cybersecurity measures to better protect users of digital financial services across the continent.
