Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has raised a national alert over a growing wave of artificial intelligence-generated deepfake content being used to spread financial scams and false medical claims across social media platforms.
In an official statement released on June 30, the Authority confirmed an uptick in highly deceptive AI-generated videos appearing primarily on Facebook. These manipulated clips falsely depict well-known personalities, including the President, cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, and prominent media figures, endorsing investment schemes and miracle health products.
The CSA noted that the fraudulent content relies on AI tools capable of replicating not only the facial likeness but also the voice of the targeted individuals, making the videos appear authentic to unsuspecting viewers. These scams often promise exaggerated or guaranteed returns on investment or promote unverified treatments for conditions like diabetes and obesity.
“The threat actors leverage AI technology to create convincing audio and video that mimic the appearance and voice of prominent individuals,” the Authority stated, highlighting that the primary intent is to deceive victims into transferring money to fraudulent platforms or purchasing harmful, unapproved products.
The CSA urged the public to exercise caution when encountering online content that appears to feature public endorsements of financial or medical products. It warned users to look for common signs of digital manipulation, such as out-of-sync lip movements, unnatural eye motion, and synthetic voice patterns, which are often present in deepfake videos.
The Authority also advised against engaging with unsolicited promotional material online without conducting independent verification. Consumers are encouraged to consult regulatory bodies such as the Bank of Ghana for financial schemes and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) for health-related claims.
In response to the threat, the CSA said it is working closely with law enforcement agencies, relevant regulators, and major social media platforms to identify and remove malicious content, and to pursue those behind its creation and distribution.
