Beware of Valentine's day online scam; Over GH₵ 3.5 million was lost to online shopping, romance scam in 2023

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has issued a warning to the public regarding potential cyber threats related to online shopping, particularly in light of the upcoming Valentine's Day celebration. The advisory emphasizes the need for caution and vigilance when engaging in online activities, urging individuals to exercise due diligence, especially when purchasing gifts.

According to the CSA, malicious cyber actors often exploit occasions like Valentine's Day to defraud unsuspecting victims through various schemes, including fake websites, online shops, and romance scams. These criminals may create fraudulent online platforms offering heavily discounted packages or items, enticing victims to make payments but ultimately failing to deliver the promised goods or delivering substandard products.

Additionally, some perpetrators create fake business listings or profiles on platforms like Google Maps, using search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to manipulate search results and divert inquiries to their contact details. Once victims engage and make payments, the scammers block further contact and fail to deliver the expected products.

Romance scams are also prevalent, wherein fraudsters create fake online profiles to deceive victims into forming trusting relationships. They then exploit these relationships to extract money, personal information, or gifts from their victims.

To mitigate these risks, the CSA advises online shoppers to conduct thorough research, including checking for reviews and customer feedback, before making purchases, particularly during the Valentine's Day period. They also recommend verifying the contact details of online shops through official websites or reliable sources, rather than relying solely on search engine results.

Furthermore, the public is cautioned to be wary of hyped Valentine's Day advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram. If in doubt, individuals are encouraged to request a physical location for validation.

For assistance or to report cybercrimes, the CSA provides a 24-hour Cybersecurity/Cybercrime Incident Reporting Point of Contact (PoC) reachable via phone, text, WhatsApp, or email.

In summary, the CSA's advisory underscores the importance of exercising caution, verifying sources, and seeking assistance when engaging in online activities, particularly during periods susceptible to cyber threats such as Valentine's Day.