Mobile Money fraud: Ghanaians are too gullible – Communication Minister

Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu Ekuful says Telecommunication companies are not entirely to blame for the upsurge of mobile money fraud in the country.

She stated that even though it is the responsibility of telcos to ensure their customers are secure, Ghanaians should be able to identify fraudulent activities.

Speaking on GH One’s ‘State of Affairs’, the minister said, “Somebody said Ghanaians are too trusting, maybe they can add that we are too gullible and, so we believe what people tell us regardless of the fact that there are fraudsters out there who also see an opportunity to expand their fraudulent businesses through these electronic platforms”

She added that the telcos have “continually been drumming into our heads that they will never ever ask you to send your pin number to anybody so don’t”.

The minister said her ministry will soon be pushing for more electronic payments to reduce the cash in the system adding that they will be stepping up education about the opportunities and dangers associated with the electronic system.

Ursula Owusu Ekuful also warned Ghanaians to beware of fraudsters who are claiming to be ministers offering jobs at a fee on various social media platforms.

“No minister is giving protocol appointments on Facebook for a fee so if anybody asks you to do that, that person is a fraudster… report the person to the nearest law enforcement officers,” she said.

She noted that the Education Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister, First Lady and Second Lady, as well as herself, have had such fraudsters impersonating them.

She urged Ghanaians to be alert and more cautious of how they use the cyberspace so they don’t fall prey to these fraudsters.