CSA Raises Red Flag Over Surge in Sextortion Cases; Victims Lose Nearly GHS 500,000 in Q1 2025
The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has raised alarm over a growing surge in online blackmail and sextortion cases in the country, disclosing that victims have collectively lost close to GHS 500,000 between January and April 2025.
According to the CSA, a total of 155 cases were recorded in the first four months of 2024, with financial losses amounting to GHS 103,663. However, updated figures for the same period in 2025 show a marginal increase in reported cases but a significant escalation in monetary losses, which now stand at GHS 499,044.
In a statement, the Authority attributed the dramatic rise in financial losses to the use of more sophisticated methods by cybercriminals, which, it noted, has deepened the economic and emotional toll on victims.
“Cybercriminals are now employing more advanced techniques to exploit unsuspecting individuals. This has contributed to the growing psychological and financial distress suffered by victims,” it stated.
Explaining the modus operandi of the perpetrators, the CSA said the criminals often create fake social media profiles using attractive photos to impersonate individuals looking for romantic relationships. Once rapport is built, they initiate explicit video calls or solicit private photos, which are later used as tools for blackmail.
“These sessions are secretly recorded without the victim’s consent. The perpetrators then threaten to circulate the compromising material unless a ransom is paid, usually through mobile money transfers,” the statement read in part.
“In some cases, even after victims comply with ransom demands, the threats persist or intensify. The perpetrators also migrate conversations to encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal, making it harder to trace their identities,” it added.
The CSA warned that the trend has become not only a financial risk but also a psychological burden, leaving many victims traumatised and hesitant to report the incidents due to fear or shame.
It has, therefore, advised individuals who fall prey to such scams to immediately cut off all communication with the blackmailers and resist the urge to pay any ransom, as doing so does not guarantee deletion of the materials and often leads to further demands.
The Authority also encouraged victims to preserve all forms of evidence—including screenshots, usernames, URLs, messages, and payment records—and report the matter promptly for investigation and support.
It further urged the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging with strangers online, particularly those who quickly shift conversations toward intimate or sexual topics.
In addition to reporting to the CSA, affected individuals are being encouraged to confide in trusted family members or seek professional counselling support to deal with the emotional impact of such cybercrimes.
