I know it’s wrong, but tell me, what else can I do?
In Accra’s Nima district, economic despair is pushing tech-savvy teenagers into cybercrime. Seventeen-year-old “Ghost” told AFP he earned GHC12,000 ($770) last month through a fake online store on Instagram. “People bought phones and laptops. None of it existed,” he admitted.
Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority (CSA) recorded $282,776 in cyberfraud losses from January to March 2025, nearly double the previous year’s. Common scams include phishing, brand impersonation, and fake online shops.
Teacher Mohammed Inusah revealed, “Some of my students have iPhones more expensive than my salary.”
Young scammers like “Tricky” and “Bronzy” confessed to fraud, justifying their actions with economic necessity. “I know it’s wrong, but tell me, what else can I do?” Tricky asked.
CSA president Abubakar Issaka said enforcement remains weak: “Fraudsters are steps ahead.”
As Ghana’s economy stagnates, more youth may turn to these digital traps for survival, risking legal consequences and mental stress. “Sometimes, I can’t sleep,” Ghost admitted.