The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has issued a stark warning over the growing threat of sextortion, a cybercrime that continues to wreak emotional and financial havoc on unsuspecting Ghanaians.
According to the Authority, sextortion is fast becoming one of the most insidious tools used by cybercriminals, with recent data showing an alarming rise in both reported cases and financial losses.
Between January and April 2024, the CSA recorded 155 sextortion and online blackmail cases, leading to confirmed financial losses of GH₵103,663.
However, in an updated statement released on 2nd May 2025, the Authority revealed that the first quarter of 2025 has seen both an uptick in cases and a dramatic escalation in monetary losses, now totaling GH₵499,044.
“The data points to increasingly sophisticated methods being employed by cybercriminals and highlights the growing economic impact of such incidents.”
Cyber Security Authority (CSA)
The tactics used by these criminals are deceptively simple yet psychologically devastating.
Typically, the perpetrators pose as attractive individuals using fake social media profiles and initiate contact with their targets, pretending to seek romantic relationships. These conversations often transition quickly from casual chats to explicit exchanges.
Once trust is established, the victim is drawn into sharing intimate photos or engaging in sexually explicit video calls. Unbeknownst to them, these sessions are secretly recorded or saved.
The real nightmare begins when the criminals turn around and threaten to leak the content unless a ransom is paid—usually through mobile money platforms.
What makes this scam even more menacing is that the threats often persist even after victims comply with the demands.
According to the CSA, “even after payment is made, the threats continue or escalate.” These threat actors typically move their conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal, making them harder to trace.
Financial Losses To Sextortion Hit New Highs
The surge in sextortion cases signals a deeper issue within Ghana’s cyber ecosystem. As more Ghanaians connect to digital platforms, many lack awareness about online safety, making them vulnerable to manipulation and extortion.
The emotional toll is often as severe as the financial one, with victims grappling with fear, shame, and psychological trauma.
Accordingly, the CSA provided a series of recommendations aimed at protecting the public. First and foremost, it urges Ghanaians to be extremely cautious when accepting friend requests from unknown individuals, especially those with overly polished or provocative profiles.
The Authority also stressed the importance of being skeptical of online relationships that escalate quickly into romantic or sexual territory.
In their words: “Never share such content.” It’s a blunt but necessary warning in an age where trust can be easily manufactured and exploited.
Other security measures include keeping social media accounts private, limiting who can view your posts and stories, and avoiding the storage of nude images or videos on personal devices.
These may seem like small precautions, but they can significantly reduce one’s vulnerability to sextortion.
Should an individual fall victim to such a scam, the CSA emphasized the importance of not paying the ransom.
“Immediately cease all communication with the threat actors. Do not pay any ransom, it encourages repeated demands and does not guarantee deletion of the content.”
Cyber Security Authority (CSA)
Victims are instead advised to preserve all evidence, including screenshots, usernames, URLs, payment requests, and messages.
In addition, CSA encouraged affected individuals should report the incident immediately to the CSA’s 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Point of Contact (PoC).
It also indicated that emotional support is essential, and victims are encouraged to inform a trusted family member or counselor.
The Authority’s statement reflected a growing concern that these types of cybercrimes are not just private misfortunes but public security threats that demand coordinated responses from law enforcement, tech platforms, and the wider public.
Ultimately, the rise in sextortion should serve as a wake-up call. As Ghana’s digital landscape evolves, cybersecurity must be treated not as a luxury but as a necessity.
Investing in digital literacy and public education campaigns can help reduce the pool of potential victims and make it harder for these criminals to thrive.
Until then, the best defense remains vigilance, smart digital behavior, and the courage to report incidents rather than suffer in silence.
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