Artificial intelligence is playing an increasing role in cybercrime across Africa, with AI reportedly linked to 55% of reported cybercrime cases, according to CID Director-General COP Lydia Yaako Donkor.
She said cybercrime-related losses across the continent have more than doubled to $484 million since 2024, highlighting the growing scale and sophistication of digital crimes.
COP Donkor noted that criminals are increasingly using generative AI to create convincing phishing messages, clone voices, produce synthetic images and videos, and automate personalised scams. Cryptocurrency is also being used to facilitate and move proceeds from criminal activities.
She described cybercrime as an increasingly organised and borderless criminal ecosystem, warning that Ghana’s rapid digital transformation has created new opportunities for criminals to exploit mobile money, internet banking, online commerce and instant payment platforms.
According to her, law enforcement agencies are confronting sophisticated networks involved in social engineering, identity theft, fraudulent investments, fake businesses, compromised devices and other digital crimes.
The Ghana Police Service has consequently expanded its use of technology and digital evidence in investigations, particularly in cases involving fraud, extortion, kidnapping, child exploitation and organised crime.