According to the Cybersecurity Authority of Ghana (CSA), cybercriminals are utilizing Google Maps and Search to impersonate brands and service providers in Ghana.
Per the Authority, cybercriminals use these tools to “create fake business profiles or manipulate search results to trick the public into engaging with fraudulent phone numbers, websites, or addresses.”
They cited names of “well-known” brands being affected, such as Pizza Hut, Pizzaman/Chickenman, Hisense, Bel Aqua, Papaye, and Burger King.
Explaining how cybercriminals orchestrate these scams, the Authority stated, “cybercriminals create or alter Google Maps business listings of popular companies, banks, hotels, airlines, courier services, and government agencies. The fraudulent listings include fake phone numbers, emails, and websites.”
“When users search for a company’s contact details or service information, they are presented with the fraudulent listing usually at the top of Google results, leading them to contact the cybercriminals instead of the legitimate business.”
“The cybercriminals pose as customer service agents of the brands they represent and trick victims into sharing one-time passwords (OTP) or PINs, which are used to withdraw funds from their mobile money wallets or make payments for goods and services they never receive.”
Online remains a pervasive threat in Ghana
According to recent data released by the acting director general of the CSA, Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti, online fraud remains at the top spot of digital threats in Ghana.
According to him, the National Computer Emergency Team (CERT) recorded 7,976 cases from January to June 2025, out of which 2,008 were cybersecurity incidents.
Analyses of the reported cases show online fraud dominates all incidents with a 36% share spanning across investment scams, fake online shops, recruitment fraud, and romance fraud.
Beneath the top spot lies cyberbullying, online blackmail, unauthorized access, and information disclosure in that order.
According to Mr. Divine, total losses to cybercrime increased from 12,844,873 (within the same period as last year) to 14,943,623 in 2025, representing a 17% increase.
Security recommendation
The CSA urges the public to uphold these measures:
For the Public
• Always cross-check contact details, including phone numbers, from the official websites of institutions instead of relying solely on Google Search or Maps.
• Treat top search results with caution; fraudulent listings may appear above legitimate ones, particularly paid “Ad” results. Scammers pay to have their fraudulent links appear at the very top.
• Avoid sharing sensitive information, including PINs and OTPs, online.
• If you encounter fake business listings or contacts on Google Maps, report them directly through Google’s reporting tools and notify the CSA.
For Institutions/Businesses
• Regularly search for your brand online, including Google and Google Maps to identify fraudulent listings or fake websites.
• Proactively share verified contact details on official websites, social media, and other trusted platforms.
• Monitor reviews and comments online, especially on social media handles for mentions of fraud, as this is often a sign of impersonation.
• Institutions are encouraged to acquire official toll-free numbers (e.g., 0800 XXXX) that can be centrally managed and mapped to their various branches, ensuring consistency and trust. Alternatively, organisations may acquire dedicated number ranges and actively publicize them to the public as their official contact lines.
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