The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has revealed that Ghanaians lost more than GH¢3.4 million to fraudulent online investment schemes during the first half of 2026, prompting a renewed warning for the public to exercise caution before investing online.
According to the Authority, 352 cases of online investment fraud were recorded between January and June, with victims collectively losing GH¢3,429,447 to scammers posing as legitimate investment operators.
In a public alert issued on July 6, the CSA said fraudsters continue to exploit social media platforms to promote fake investment opportunities, promising unusually high returns to lure unsuspecting members of the public.
The Authority explained that victims are typically persuaded to invest in purported cryptocurrency mining equipment leasing ventures or online business task platforms, with payments often made through mobile money services.
To gain public confidence, the fraudsters frequently claim to be affiliated with reputable international companies. The CSA cited Darazz, a legitimate Pakistan-based e-commerce company, as one of the brands whose identity has been fraudulently used to deceive investors.
According to the Authority, once victims transfer their money, they neither receive the promised returns nor recover their initial investments.
The CSA further noted that the perpetrators regularly change the names of their operations to avoid detection by law enforcement agencies and regulators.
Among the identities currently associated with the fraudulent schemes are Darazz, Daily Trade, Ghstore, KUKA and Edollar.
The Authority advised the public to treat investment opportunities promising unusually high or guaranteed returns with caution and warned against joining unsolicited WhatsApp investment groups or responding to messages claiming links to established organisations.
It also urged prospective investors to verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities through recognised regulatory bodies and official channels before committing funds.
The CSA encouraged victims and members of the public to promptly report suspected online investment scams to the appropriate authorities to facilitate investigations and help curb the growing trend of cyber-enabled financial fraud.
