Online Scams Exploit Human Behaviour More Than Technology, Fraud Investigator Warns

Online fraudsters are increasingly exploiting consumer psychology rather than sophisticated hacking techniques, using convenience, deep discounts and manufactured urgency to manipulate purchasing decisions and siphon money from unsuspecting shoppers, according to certified fraud examiner and professional investigator Ransford Nana Addo Junior.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Friday, Mr Addo said the most successful scam operations are carefully structured enterprises that rely on behavioural manipulation, brand impersonation and professional customer engagement to build trust before defrauding victims.

He said scammers begin with extensive reconnaissance, studying popular retailers, consumer buying habits and promotional campaigns before replicating trusted businesses through counterfeit websites and fraudulent contact information.

“The criminal doesn’t just wake up and scam you. They go through stages. They conduct surveillance, identify opportunities and carefully plan how to gain your confidence,” he said.

According to Mr Addo, one of the strongest tools used by fraud syndicates is consumers’ growing preference for convenience. As more shoppers choose to order products remotely rather than visit physical stores, fraudsters position themselves between legitimate retailers and customers, collecting payments while failing to deliver goods.

He warned that unusually large discounts remain one of the most effective baiting techniques. Products advertised at prices far below prevailing market value are designed to trigger impulsive buying decisions before consumers verify the authenticity of the seller.

Fraud networks have also become increasingly sophisticated in their operations, employing trained customer service representatives who answer enquiries professionally, reassure prospective buyers and request deposits under the guise of delivery requirements, particularly for customers outside major urban centres.

Mr Addo noted that once initial contact is established, scammers intensify engagement by offering additional discounts for bulk purchases, exploiting consumers’ desire to maximise perceived savings. He described greed, combined with convenience and discounted pricing, as the three principal behavioural drivers that underpin many online fraud schemes.

He further cautioned consumers against promotions that create artificial urgency through limited-time offers, saying such tactics are intended to pressure buyers into making payments without conducting adequate due diligence.

Businesses that discourage customers from visiting a physical showroom while insisting solely on delivery arrangements should also be regarded as potential red flags, he added, as many fraudulent operations have no verifiable physical presence.

Economic Impact

The warning comes as Ghana’s expanding digital commerce sector attracts a growing number of online consumers, increasing both market opportunities and exposure to cyber-enabled financial crime. Fraud-related losses erode consumer confidence in e-commerce, raise transaction costs for legitimate businesses and weaken trust in digital payment systems.

As online retail continues to grow, strengthening consumer awareness, improving verification mechanisms and intensifying enforcement against digital fraud will be essential to safeguarding Ghana’s digital economy and sustaining confidence in electronic commerce.