GHȼ600,000 lost to online shopping scams as Black Friday nears

Ghana has recorded over GHȼ600,000 in losses from 266 online shopping fraud cases between January and October 2025, highlighting growing cyber risks as consumer activity increases ahead of the Black Friday rush.

The Cyber Security Authority, which released the data on Friday, November 28, says the rise in fraud reflects a worrying surge in brand impersonation, fake online shops and phishing schemes targeting online shoppers.

Scammers are increasingly using manipulated search results, social media storefronts and cloned websites to trick victims into making advance payments or revealing sensitive financial details.

This rise in cases comes as e-commerce rapidly expands, drawing more shoppers online and creating new vulnerabilities for both consumers and businesses.

The Authority is calling for increased vigilance as retailers launch major discount campaigns, warning that the season is a prime opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit weak verification processes.

It stressed that stronger buyer due diligence and safer payment practices will be essential to reducing financial losses as end-of-year online transactions peak.