Online blackmail and sextortion soaring – CSA

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has issued a public alert following a surge in online blackmail and sextortion cases.
This phenomenon has been accompanied by a sharp increase in financial losses suffered by victims.
According to the latest data released by the CSA, the period between January and April 2025 witnessed a significant escalation in the economic impact of these cybercrimes.
While the number of reported cases saw a slight rise compared to the same period in 2024 (155 cases), the associated financial losses have ballooned to a staggering GH¢499,044, up from the GH¢103,663 recorded during the first four months of 2024.
The CSA’s analysis of these incidents reveals a consistent modus operandi used by perpetrators.
These fraudsters typically create enticing fake profiles on social media platforms, often using attractive photographs to draw in their unsuspecting victims, under the guise of seeking romantic relationships.
Once trust is established, the criminals lure victims into explicit video calls or request private photos. Unbeknownst to the victims, these interactions are secretly recorded or saved.
The perpetrators then leverage this compromising material to demand ransom payments, predominantly through mobile money transfers.
The CSA notes that even after victims succumb to the initial demands, the threats often persist or even escalate, leading to further financial exploitation.
To evade detection and maintain anonymity, the cybercriminals frequently migrate conversations to encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal.
In light of this alarming trend, the Cyber Security Authority has issued a series of crucial recommendations to the public aimed at preventing individuals from falling victim to these malicious schemes.
The public is strongly advised to avoid accepting friend requests from individuals they do not know in real life and to be particularly suspicious of online relationships that quickly turn intimate or involve requests for explicit content, emphasizing that such material should never be shared.
Individuals have also been advised to avoid sharing intimate content with strangers online, regardless of perceived trustworthiness, and enhance the privacy settings of their social media accounts, limiting the visibility of their content to trusted contacts only.
Furthermore, the CSA advises against creating or saving nude images or videos on any digital device.
Should an individual suspect they have become a victim, they should immediately cease all communication with the threat actors and, crucially, avoid paying any ransom, as this does not guarantee the deletion of the compromising material and often encourages further demands.
They advised victims to meticulously document all interactions, including taking screenshots of messages, recording usernames and URLs, and noting payment requests.
Finally, the CSA urges individuals to immediately report the incident to the Cyber Security Authority through its short code 292, or call 0501603111 or the email address reports@csa.gov.gh and seek emotional support from a trusted family member or counselor.