The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has issued a critical warning to the public about the increased risk of scams around Valentine’s Day, a time traditionally associated with showing love and affection through gifts.
According to the CSA, malicious cyber actors are exploiting the season, leading to substantial financial losses with victims reporting losses exceeding ₵3,558,940 due to online shopping and romance scams in 2023 alone.
The CSA’s alert outlines several common fraudulent practices that have been observed, urging the public to exercise caution.
Among these, shopping fraud is prevalent, where scammers create fake websites or impersonate existing businesses on social media, offering enticing deals that never materialize. Brand impersonation is another tactic, with fraudsters creating false listings to divert customers from legitimate businesses.
Background
Valentine’s Day is an occasion when people show their affection for others by sending gifts or items with messages of love. Malicious cyber actors also use the celebration to defraud unsuspecting victims through various schemes. Of the total losses recorded for 2023, at least 3,558,940 cedis was lost through online shopping and romance scams. The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) is by this alert reminding the public to exercise caution and due diligence in their online activities.
Modus Operandi
Shopping Fraud: Malicious actors create fake websites or online shops or impersonate existing businesses on social media, offering heavily discounted packages and items. Victims are enticed to send money for these items which they never receive, or they receive in substandard forms.
Brand Impersonation: Malicious actors create fake business listings or profiles with their contact details on Google Maps mimicking legitimate businesses or brands and use search engine optimization techniques to manipulate search results for the targeted brand to divert legitimate inquiries to the scammers’ contact numbers. After the unsuspecting victims engage and pay (usually to a mobile money wallet) for Products, the scammers block them from making further contact, and the expected delivery does not materialist.
Phishing Scams: Malicious actors send unsolicited emails or messages claiming to be from a romantic partner, or a company offering Valentine’s Day deals. These messages contain links or attachments that when clicked, install malicious software (malware), or steal personal information.
Romance Scams: Malicious actors create fake online profiles to deceive victims into believing they are engaging in a trusting relationship. They use the relationship to persuade the victims to send money, provide personal and financial information, or purchase items for them.
Recommendations
Be cautious of “too good to be true” deals on Valentine’s Day packages or gifts.
Use a reputable online marketplace or retailer when purchasing Valentine’s Day gifts. Look for reviews and customer feedback before making an online purchase.
While search engines provide convenient access to information, they can also display manipulated or misleading results. Check on the official websites or with reliable sources to validate the contact details of shops rather than relying solely on search engine results. Also, check user reviews for hints on the reputation of the contact. Be alert for fake online shops and hyped adverts, especially on Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram. In most cases, request a physical location to enable you to validate the legitimacy of the business.
CSA urges all to insist on payment only after delivery and inspection.
By Peter Quao Adattor
