Online scammers are exploiting consumers' desire for convenience, large discounts, and quick bargains to trap them in fraudulent schemes. Certified fraud examiner Ransford Nana Addo Junior issued this warning on Friday, July 31, during a discussion on Joy FM's Super Morning Show.
Mr. Addo Junior explained that fraudsters do not act randomly. They follow carefully planned stages to gain targets' confidence before taking their money. He emphasized that recognizing these scam methods is the first step in preventing financial losses.
This trend highlights a growing challenge in Ghana's digital economy. As more transactions move online, the risk of cyber fraud increases. The Ghana Cyber Security Authority reported a significant rise in cybercrime incidents in 2023, underscoring the urgency of public awareness campaigns.
"One key thing about scams is that if you are able to spot a scam, you can stop it," Mr. Addo Junior stated. He added that scammers operate through a series of stages, not by simply approaching victims without preparation.
A primary tool criminals exploit is consumers' preference for convenience. Many shoppers prefer ordering items from home, creating opportunities for fraudsters to intercept transactions. Scammers position themselves between customers and legitimate retailers, ensuring neither the shop nor the customer receives their due.
Fraudsters conduct reconnaissance, studying businesses and trends they can exploit. They identify popular retailers and monitor industries attracting many customers. Instead of creating new businesses, many criminals now clone well-established brands to appear legitimate.
They create fake websites and publish fraudulent contact details, leveraging the reputation of genuine companies. This cloning tactic makes it difficult for consumers to distinguish between real and fake businesses.
Another common tactic involves offering unusually large discounts to attract victims. Mr. Addo Junior cited an example: a 75-inch television that should cost GHS 16,000 is offered for GHS 8,000. This significant price reduction, combined with promises like free delivery, serves as bait.
Scam syndicates even train customer service agents to sound professional and convincing. These agents confirm promotional details and often request deposits, especially for customers outside major cities. For instance, they might ask for a 10% deposit for deliveries beyond Accra to confirm seriousness.
Once communication begins, scammers move to the engagement stage, negotiating with victims and encouraging them to spend more. They exploit human greed, offering further discounts even for bulk purchases. This manipulation leads people to buy products they do not need, simply because they perceive an exceptional bargain.
Mr. Addo Junior also cautioned against promotions that create unnecessary urgency. Scammers often impose short deadlines to pressure victims into making quick decisions without verifying the seller's legitimacy. Consumers must remain vigilant and question offers that seem too good to be true.