The November 2025 Global Organised Crime Index has identified Ghana as a known hub for individuals and networks engaged in online fraud, including romance scams, with financial crimes affecting several key sectors of the economy.
According to the report, financial crimes such as fraud and tax evasion are “pervasive in Ghana” and have impacted sectors including banking, import and export, real estate, fishing, gold and cocoa. “Ghana is a known hub for individuals and networks perpetrating online fraud, including romance scams,” the report states.
It further noted that Ghana has recorded cases involving online Ponzi schemes and banking fraud, while some high-profile individuals have faced charges related to breach of trust and bribery. The report also identified tax evasion as a significant financial crime in the country, citing cases involving companies accused of committing economic offences against the state, resulting in substantial financial losses.
It said the alleged misuse of funds allocated to Ghana’s COVID-19 response had also led to collaboration among government agencies to investigate and prosecute public officials and private individuals accused of diverting funds. Meanwhile, cyber-enabled financial crimes, particularly online romance scams, continue to pose a concern, according to the report.
The findings come amid a broader rise in cyber-dependent crime in Ghana, which the report said has affected both businesses and individuals, particularly since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Index, organised crime groups are using malware to obtain personal data from unsuspecting individuals and businesses, leading to financial theft. The report highlights that businesses in Ghana have been experiencing an above-average rate of botnet and crypto-miner attacks. This surge in cyber attacks is further hindering economic growth and raising concerns for Ghanaian companies that operate internationally.
The report points out that the rise of cybercrime and financial crime presents significant challenges for Ghana’s expanding digital sector and efforts to enhance technology adoption. It emphasises how criminals exploit the fears, insecurities, and vulnerabilities of their victims using various tactics. Additionally, increasingly sophisticated organised crime groups are utilising technology to facilitate financial theft.
The assessment in the Index situates these activities within a broader organised crime landscape in Ghana, where illicit networks are active across multiple sectors and are increasingly exploiting digital and financial systems.
