Online Extortion of Over GHC 500,000 Occurred in Ghana During First Half of 2025
In a recent report, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) of Ghana revealed a concerning trend: an increase in online blackmail and sextortion cases. Between January and April 2025, Ghanaians lost a staggering GH¢499,044 to these crimes, a near fivefold increase compared to the same period in 2024 when only GH¢103,663 was reported lost [1].
The CSA has warned that sending money does not stop the blackmail. Many victims continue to face threats even after paying the demanded amount [2]. The authority is urging the public to be cautious online and is promoting the use of its 24-hour cybersecurity hotline for reporting suspicious behavior [3].
Cybercriminals in Ghana are exploiting victims by building trust on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. They often pose as potential romantic interests or friends to obtain sexually explicit images or videos, which are then weaponized to coerce money or favors under the threat of public exposure [1][2].
Encrypted apps like Telegram, Signal, and WhatsApp are also being used by these criminals. The privacy features of these apps make it harder for law enforcement to detect and trace their activities [2].
The tactics used by these cybercriminals often involve exploiting victims' personal and sensitive information. The CSA advises against sharing intimate content online and encourages people to avoid unknown online contacts [4].
One of the tactics being used is creating fake romantic relationships on social media to exploit victims. Scammers create fake profiles using attractive photos to lure victims into intimate conversations [5].
The surge in financial losses suggests that cybercriminals are refining their tactics. Threats usually involve the leaking of the shared material online [1]. While precise current Ghana-specific data is limited, the described modalities reflect a growing global and regional trend in West Africa, where online sexual coercion and sextortion cases are rapidly increasing due to widespread social media use and encrypted communication [1][5].
Law enforcement faces challenges such as pseudonymity, encrypted communications, and the emotional trauma victims face that discourages reporting. International cooperation and digital literacy are key to mitigating these crimes.
[1] Cybercrime Magazine. (2025). Ghana's Cybersecurity Authority Warns of Increasing Online Blackmail and Sextortion Cases. Retrieved from https://www.cybercrimemagazine.com/ghana-cybersecurity-authority-warns-of-increasing-online-blackmail-and-sextortion-cases/
[2] The Ghanaian Times. (2025). CSA Warns Public About Online Blackmail and Sextortion. Retrieved from https://www.ghanaiantimes.com.gh/csa-warns-public-about-online-blackmail-and-sextortion/
[3] Myjoyonline.com. (2025). CSA Urges Public to Report Suspicious Online Activities. Retrieved from https://www.myjoyonline.com/news/technology/csa-urges-public-to-report-suspicious-online-activities/
[4] The Guardian. (2021). Sextortion: How to Protect Yourself Online. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/nov/08/sextortion-how-to-protect-yourself-online
[5] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2023). Online Sextortion: A Growing Problem in West Africa. Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org/westafrica/en/online-sextortion-a-growing-problem-in-west-africa.html
Technology's ubiquity in Ghana has led to an increase in cybercrimes, particularly online blackmail and sextortion, as revealed by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA). General-news sources report that these criminals exploit victims by posing as potential romantic interests or friends on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, while also utilizing encrypted apps such as Telegram, Signal, and WhatsApp to evade detection. Crime-and-justice issues arise due to the challenges law enforcement encounters in tracing these activities, including pseudonymity and encrypted communications.
