By Rebecca Ampah
As the festive season approaches, Ghanaians are being urged to be extra cautious online and offline, with cybercrime expected to spike.
Cybersecurity expert David Gyedu, speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show, revealed that scammers often exploit the holiday period when people shop more, expect giveaways, and travel. “Christmas is a time people spend a little more, and anytime people want to spend, scammers also take advantage,” he said.
Gyedu warned that scammers are now using deepfake AI to clone websites, impersonate brands, and create fraudulent messages that appear legitimate. Victims may be tricked into sharing personal data or sending money to fake accounts.
“Scammers can create websites that look exactly like the original. If you don’t carefully verify the details, you could be scammed,” he explained.
According to him, some of tge scams to watch out for include; Online Shopping Scams, Romance Scams, Investment Scams, Impersonation Scams, among others.
Gyedu recounted a recent case where a woman lost over GHS 24,000 after contacting a fake store number on Google, highlighting the risks of unverified deals.
He further indicated some tips to stay safe in this season;
- Check website security (look for HTTPS and padlock symbols).
- Verify URLs and spelling carefully.
- Cross-check promotions on official websites or verified social media accounts.
- Avoid clicking shortened or suspicious links.
- Use tools like VirusTotal to check links and Google Play Protect to scan apps.
- Avoid downloading unknown apps or engaging with unsolicited offers.
- Use prepaid cards for online payments instead of linking directly to your bank account.
Gyedu also warned against “spin-to-win” giveaways and travel deals that appear too good to be true, emphasizing the importance of physical verification or checking official sources.
“Scammers have become highly sophisticated. While we are educating people, they are planning their next attack,” he cautioned, urging Ghanaians to remain alert and verify all online and offline offers this festive season.
