Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has spoken out on the alarming surge in mobile money (MoMo) fraud cases, revealing a deeply personal encounter: fraudsters scammed his own mother out of a staggering GH¢24,000.

The Minister’s revelation comes amid growing national concern after a viral social media story exposed how a young Ghanaian businesswoman lost over GH¢11,000 to mobile money thieves in a single swoop.

“They Claimed They Wanted to Protect Her Wallet” — Sam George Shares Personal Family Ordeal

In a heartfelt interview on Joy News Channel with Evans Mensah, the MP recounted the chilling moment his mother fell prey to scammers shortly after his appointment as a government minister.

“They called my poor mother and told her that, because of her son’s new position, her wallet needed extra protection — and they convinced her to confirm her PIN. Just like that, GH¢24,000 vanished from her account,” he disclosed.

The legislator expressed concern about the increasing sophistication of these scams and raised pointed questions about possible insider collusion within mobile money service providers.

Public Warning: Cyber Vigilance Is Now Non-Negotiable

Sam George emphasized that mobile money fraud is no longer just a personal issue but a national security threat. He urged Ghanaians to treat cybersecurity with the same seriousness they apply to personal physical security.

“If fraudsters can convince my mother, imagine how many other Ghanaians are at risk every single day. There must be stronger safeguards.”

Government to Investigate Possible Collusion and Telecom Lapses

The Minister also revealed that his office has initiated formal discussions with major telecom operators to address the spike in MoMo scams.

“We have reasons to believe that in some cases, there might be connivance by staff within certain telecom networks. Our ministry has launched investigations, and we’re demanding full reports on the fraud prevention strategies these telcos have in place,” he stated.

What You Should Do to Stay Safe:

• Never share your PIN or personal details over the phone, even if the caller sounds convincing.
• Verify directly with your telecom provider via official numbers.
• Enable two-factor authentication wherever available.
• Report suspicious activity to both your service provider and the Cyber Crime Unit.

Sam George’s Pledge:

Sam George has vowed to push for stricter regulations, improved fraud detection systems, and potential sanctions for telecom companies that fail to protect their customers.

“This cannot continue. We are committed to holding telcos accountable and creating a secure digital environment for all Ghanaians.”