Verify Before You Trust: CSA boss warns of AI-driven cyber fraud

The Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), Divine Selase Agbeti, has warned Ghanaians to be more cautious when dealing with online messages, calls and requests for money as criminals increasingly use technology to make fraudulent attempts appear genuine. He said the rapid development of artificial intelligence was giving criminals new ways to create convincing impersonations, phishing messages and social engineering attacks. Cybersecurity is no longer an IT problem – Divine Selase Agbeti Agbeti gave the warning while delivering his welcome address at the official opening of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2026 on Thursday, October 1, 2026. According to the CSA Director-General, artificial intelligence could be used to imitate the identity, voice or communication style of people known to victims, making it more difficult to identify fraudulent requests. He therefore urged the public not to rely solely on what they see or hear before transferring money or sharing sensitive information. “In the age of artificial intelligence, seeing is no longer necessarily believing. Verification must become a habit,” he said. Agbeti advised members of the public to pause before clicking on suspicious links and verify unexpected requests for money, even when such requests appear to come from friends, relatives or other trusted persons. He also urged users to protect their passwords and authentication credentials and avoid sharing sensitive account information with others. The CSA Director-General said cyber fraud could have consequences beyond the immediate financial losses suffered by victims. He said repeated incidents could reduce public confidence in digital platforms and slow the adoption of digital financial services. Agbeti also warned cybercriminals that technology would not shield them from law enforcement. “Technology may allow criminals to cross borders. It does not place them beyond accountability,” he said. He said the CSA would continue working with law enforcement, intelligence, regulatory and international partners to identify and disrupt cyber-enabled crime. Agbeti urged Ghanaians to make verification part of their everyday digital habits as the country becomes increasingly dependent on online financial services. ANAS/MA Cybersecurity is no longer an IT problem – Divine Selase Agbeti Source: www.ghanaweb.com
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