The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has sounded the alarm with a staggering 254% increase in online blackmail cases during the first half of the year, highlighting an urgent need to address the trend in digital crime in Ghana.
Between January and June, 226 cases of online blackmail were documented, resulting in financial losses totalling GHC112,209. Criminals are increasingly exploiting social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok to target victims, according to the CSA.
Perpetrators typically befriend individuals on these platforms before moving communications to more private channels like WhatsApp. They coerce victims into participating in explicit video calls, which are then covertly recorded for future extortion.
In some instances, blackmailers initiate unsolicited video calls to capture victims’ faces, subsequently using these images to fabricate fake explicit content.
They also employ cunning and deceptive tactics, such as sharing misleading images to manipulate victims into reciprocating explicit material, which is later used as leverage for extortion.’
The CSA has also warned of incidents where criminals gain unauthorized access to victims’ devices during repairs or maintenance, stealing compromising content for extortion.
Issuing a cautionary statement, the CSA emphasized vigilance in online interactions, particularly in relationships developing rapidly online that involve requests for intimate content.
They strongly advised against sharing such material, underlining the crucial need to safeguard against potential exploitation.
The surge in online blackmail cases underscores the need for heightened cybersecurity awareness and proactive measures to protect individuals from digital threats in Ghana.
