There has been a dramatic increase in the number of cyberbullying cases perpetrated by illegal digital lending mobile applications, putting many Ghanaians and small businesses using those apps in danger.
A latest report by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has revealed a 65% increase in reported cases of cyberbullying by these loan apps within just five months of 2025.
A whopping 377 cases have been reported between January to May, representing a very sharp rise compared to 228 cases recorded throughout the entire year of 2024. This spike, the CSA says, points to a disturbing resurgence of predatory behavior by operators of unlicensed mobile lending platforms.
Many small businesses and petty traders normally patronize these apps for quicker loans to grow their businesses. However, operators of these illegal apps are taking advantage of the patronage to exploit these users.
These incidents are not only illegal but deeply damaging to the mental health and digital safety of victims.
A statement published on the CSA revealed the modus operandi of these unapproved loan apps.
CSA says the apps make use of a well-orchestrated scheme where victims, often unknowingly, are credited small loans, sometimes as little as GHS 200, the moment they install the app, without making any loan request.
A week later, CSA says, users are hit with extortion tactics that include aggressive demands for repayment at inflated interest rates, threats to leak doctored or nude images on social media, and attempts to publicly brand victims as thieves or criminals.
Alarmingly, CSA further notes that even after repayments are made, some app operators continue to demand money from victims.
The Authority is therefore urging the public to completely avoid these digital lending services, stating that they are not sanctioned by either the Bank of Ghana or the Data Protection Commission.
“The public is strongly advised against subscribing to these mobile applications since they are not sanctioned by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Data Protection Commission,” the statement warned, adding that, “Individuals who patronise these services do so at their own risk.”
The CSA is also encouraging victims or witnesses of such activities to report them immediately for action.
This development, experts say, serves as a reminder of the associated risks as mobile financial services continue to expand in Ghana. Authorities and users have their respective roles to play to fight the menace. In all, there is an urgent need for public vigilance and stronger digital safety awareness
