ACCRA, June 18 — A disturbing trend is emerging in Ghana, where educated individuals are falling prey to online scams. A graduate of the University of Ghana with a degree in Psychology received a supposed SMS alert from his bank, prompting him to click a link to answer certain questions that would enable the bank to safeguard his accounts. In plain terms, this is a classic example of a socially engineered scam, designed to target emotions rather than intellect.
Here’s what it means: these scams are not about testing your knowledge or intelligence, but about exploiting your emotional triggers. A report by IMANI Africa on Cybercrime in Ghana revealed that the country lost GH¢14.94 million in the first half of 2025, with reported incidents increasing from 1,317 in early 2024 to 2,008 in 2025, and the majority of cases involved online fraud, cyberbullying, and blackmail.
This alarming trend speaks to how online scams are taking root in Ghana’s financial ecosystem. So what’s behind this trend? The answer lies in the way these scams are designed.
They rarely target intellect and logic; instead, they are tactically and socially engineered to target emotions. This makes it easy for even the most educated individuals to fall prey.
Several people, including corporate institutions and religious bodies, have fallen victim to these scams. The fact that educated individuals are being targeted and falling prey to these scams is a cause for concern. It highlights the need for increased awareness and education on how to identify and avoid such scams.
Looking forward, it will be interesting to see how Ghana’s financial institutions and regulatory bodies respond to this growing threat. As online scams continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, it’s essential to stay vigilant and take proactive measures to protect ourselves and our financial information. The key takeaway is that online scams can happen to anyone, regardless of their intelligence or education level, and it’s crucial to be aware of the tactics used by cybercriminals to avoid falling prey.
Sources
- Why Smart People Fall for Online Scams: 3 psychological tricks…
- Top 3 Tricks Cybercriminals Use to Hack Into Your Business Network
