The Cyber Security Authority says it has observed a surge in online impersonation.

The Authority explains that after its active intelligence on social media in the month of June, it found out that the fake profiles of government appointees and other persons of influence are being used to sway online users to make fraudulent investments or to pay fees for non-existing contracts.

In the first half of this year alone it is estimated that over 900 cases of online scam and its related activities were reported.

As a part of efforts to protect the unsuspecting public the cyber security authority is asking the general public to avoiding dealing with non-verified profiles online.

In a public alert the authority says Impersonation targets include Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, other persons of influence; and institutions like the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Police service, the National Lottery Authority, and companies like Dzata Cement and Awake Limited.

It added that activities related to this scam include; promotion of fraudulent investments, loan scams, gambling fraud, Government agent scam (award of non-existing contracts, grants, and scholarships), fake recruitment offers, solicitation of funds and online service fraud.

In view of this the Cyber Security Authority is urging the general public to be wary of such accounts when transacting business online.

The public and especially social media users are advised to note that “Genuine Government officials will not contact anyone via social media to offer them jobs. Also It is important to verify before you accept friend requests and engage public figures and influential people; someone may have stolen their identity”. the statement said.

Speaking on the Pulse with Blessed Sogah, the Deputy Manager of the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) at the Cyber Security Authority says the general public should make use of the Emergency response center number 929 in case one is suspicious of any transaction.