‘They are hacking your mind’: Expert names mobile money fraud Ghana’s biggest cyber threat

Mobile money fraud poses the most significant cyber threat to ordinary Ghanaians, according to cybersecurity expert David Gyedu. Most cases involve social engineering rather than computer system hacking, he explained on GTV’s Breakfast Show.

Gyedu noted that fraudsters rely on manipulating victims into disclosing sensitive information or taking actions that allow them to access accounts. He stressed that fraudsters do not hack systems but rather "hack your mind."

One common tactic involves fraudsters calling from ordinary phone numbers, pretending to represent mobile money service providers like MTN, Telecel or AirtelTigo. They inform unsuspecting customers that their accounts have been blocked. Gyedu warned that such calls are a red flag and advised people to be cautious before picking up or responding.

The expert said fraudsters have moved away from tactics like fake prize-winning messages and are increasingly impersonating established brands, setting up fake online shops, and exploiting national events. He cited the rollout of TraffiTech-GH, stating that phishing messages began circulating within five days, falsely claiming users had committed road traffic offenses and requesting payments.

Gyedu advised the public against clicking on links in such messages and to verify any traffic-related notices only through the official TraffiTech-GH website. He also warned of mobile money malware that remains dormant until a user dials *170#. At that point, it starts listening to keystrokes, capturing PIN numbers.

Fraudsters often transfer stolen money quickly between mobile money networks to delay investigations. He cited a case where GH¢24,000 was withdrawn from a victim's account, followed by a one-month wait.