Top 10 MoMo Scams in Ghana 2026 — How to Protect Yourself

Mobile Money fraud is the number one financial crime targeting Ghanaians
in 2026. Scammers are getting smarter, more convincing, and harder to
detect. Here are the 10 most common MoMo scams happening right now —
and exactly how to protect yourself.

1. The Reversal Scam
A stranger calls claiming they sent money to your number by mistake and
begs you to reverse it. They may even send a fake MoMo confirmation SMS.
The transfer never happened. If you send money back, it comes from your
own wallet. Never reverse a transfer without verifying directly in your
MoMo app — not through any SMS someone sent you.

2. The MTN Agent Impersonation
Someone calls pretending to be an MTN, Telecel, or AirtelTigo customer
care agent. They claim your account has an issue and need your PIN or
OTP to fix it. No legitimate network agent will ever ask for your PIN
or OTP. End the call immediately.

3. The Lottery Winner Scam
You receive a call or SMS saying you won a prize — airtime, cash, or a
phone. To claim it, you must pay a small "processing fee" via MoMo.
There is no prize. The fee goes straight to the scammer.

4. The Job Offer Scam
A "company" offers you a job but requires a registration fee, uniform
deposit, or training fee paid via MoMo before you start. Legitimate
employers never collect fees from candidates. Any job requiring upfront
payment is a scam.

5. The Fake Police Threat
A caller claims to be a police officer and says your number was used in
a crime. To avoid arrest, you must send money immediately. This is pure
intimidation. The police do not collect fines or fees via MoMo.

6. The OTP Phishing Call
Someone calls saying your account will be deactivated unless you verify
it. They ask you to read out the OTP sent to your phone. That OTP gives
them access to your account. Never share an OTP with anyone — ever.

7. The Investment Doubling Scam
An offer promises to double or triple your MoMo balance within days.
You send GHS 200 and receive nothing. These schemes collapse after
collecting enough victims. If the returns sound too good to be true,
they are.

8. The Wrong Number Transfer
Similar to the reversal scam but more sophisticated. The caller
insists the money is in your account and shows a screenshot as proof.
Screenshots can be faked. Always check your actual MoMo balance before
taking any action.

9. The SIM Swap Attack
Scammers gather your personal information from social media or phishing
calls, then visit a network office to swap your SIM to a card they
control. They then access your MoMo account. Protect yourself by
setting a SIM lock and never sharing personal details over the phone.

10. The Fake Merchant Scam
You buy something online — usually on Facebook Marketplace or WhatsApp
groups. You pay via MoMo. The seller disappears. Always verify a seller
before paying, request their phone number, and check it on CyberHub
Ghana's scam checker before sending money.

How to Protect Yourself
- Never share your PIN or OTP with anyone
- Check every number that contacts you at cyberhub-ghana.onrender.com
- Verify MoMo transfers directly in your app, not through SMS
- Report suspicious numbers immediately so others stay protected
- If you've been scammed, report to Ghana Police CID Cybercrime Unit

Stay safe. Check before you send.