How scammers hack phones with links and images vrs How to outsmart them -Samuel Ackom writes
In Ghana, where smartphones are as vital as a steaming bowl of ‘waakye’ [cooked rice and beans], on a busy morning, scammers are turning digital tools into weapons. With a single deceptive link or a sneaky image, these cybercriminals can hijack your phone, raid your mobile money, and vanish quicker than a ‘trotro’ in Accra traffic.
As Ghana embraces its digital boom, staying safe from these tech tricksters is more crucial than ever. Here’s how they operate and how you can keep your phone and your hard-earned cedi secure.
HOW SCAMMERS STRIKE IN GHANA
- Deceptive Links in Messages
Picture this: a WhatsApp message from “AirtelTigo, Telecel or MTN” offers free data, or a text claims you’ve won a mobile money jackpot. These links, often disguised as legitimate offers from banks or telecoms, can install spyware that snoops on your passwords or locks your phone until you pay a ransom. The most common tool used is a key logger, where after your phone gets infected, they closely record all keypads dialled on your phone, which unknowingly may include your passwords. One click could hand over your MoMo account to a scammer chilling in Osu.
- Poisoned Pictures and Files
Ever get a random “party flyer” or “scholarship form” on WhatsApp? Scammers hide malicious code in images or PDFs. Opening them can unleash malware that steals your banking details or hijacks your contacts. In Ghana’s lively WhatsApp groups, from church fellowships to student chats, these traps spread faster than gossip. There have been instances where people take a photo of you and claim to send it to you later. They then embed in the photo a malicious link that spies on your phone to retrieve vital information. Sounds bizarre, right? Well, it’s easy to do in the tech world.
- Fake Websites and Apps
Scammers craft counterfeit websites or apps mimicking trusted Ghanaian services. A link might lead to a fake login page that snatches your credentials. Download a dodgy “MoMo cash” app, and you might lose your savings while haggling at Kantamanto market.
- Trust-Targeting Tactics
Playing on Ghana’s communal spirit, scammers pose as desperate friends or “bank officials” via SMS or WhatsApp. They might send a fake “payment screenshot” to trick you into sharing your MoMo PIN or clicking a link to “confirm” a transaction. These emotional ploys hit hard in tight-knit communities.
THE STAKES IN GHANA
In 2024, Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority noted a spike in phone-based scams, with Ghanaians losing millions of cedis to phishing and malware. From students at various universities to traders in Tamale, victims have seen their wallets or credit cards drained after clicking fake job links or downloading infected “event posters.” With mobile money powering daily life, a hacked phone can spell financial disaster.
OUTSMARTING THE SCAMMERS
Here’s how to lock down your phone (Not a COVID-19 Kind of lockdown) and stay safe:
- Avoid Shady Links
A message promising “free 5GB data” or “urgent Ecobank update”? Don’t click. Verify the sender by calling the official bank or telecom hotline (e.g., MTN’s 100). If it smells like a scam, it probably is.
- Scrutinise Downloads
That “free concert” or “free movie ticket”? Don’t open it unless you trust the source. Install antivirus apps like Bitdefender or Kaspersky to scan files. Only download apps from Google Play or Apple’s App Store, and steer clear of malware.
- Fortify Your Accounts
Use complex passwords (forget “Abena123”) and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on banking and MoMo apps. It’s like bolting your phone’s door against intruders. Whereas that cannot fully protect you from hackers, at least it minimises the rate at which intruders can have access to your vital data.
- Keep Your Phone Updated
Regular software updates patch holes that scammers exploit. Check your phone’s settings monthly to stay protected. Whereas regular updates are important, always ensure the update is coming from your phone’s software developers. You can always verify an update by checking for updates in the “settings” on your phone.
- Question Emotional Appeals
A friend begging for MoMo via WhatsApp? Call them first to confirm. If a “bank agent” asks for your PIN, hang up; real companies don’t do that.
- Report Scams Fast
Spot a scam? Alert the Cyber Security Authority via their hotline (292). If your phone’s compromised, notify your bank or telecom provider immediately.
Stay Sharp, Ghana
In a country where phones connect us to our businesses, workplaces, churches, chop bars, and livelihoods, scammers are lurking in every inbox. But you’re no easy target. Treat every link or image like a stranger offering free groundnut soup, tempting, but risky; you definitely cannot trust it.
By staying cautious and keeping your phone’s defences tight, you can navigate Ghana’s digital streets without falling into a cyber-crook’s trap. Up next will be how to be safe on WHATSAPP.