A cybersecurity expert, Mr. Elvis Anane, has raised alarm over increasing incidents of mobile money fraud targeting individuals in rural communities.

Speaking in an interview with Nana Poku Piesie, host of ‘Ka Masem Ma Me’ morning show at Sompa FM-Sunyani, he cautioned that limited digital literacy in small towns and villages is making many residents especially, elderly women vulnerable to sophisticated scams.

According to Mr. Anane, some mobile phone users in rural areas often hand over their phones and PIN codes to mobile money agents to assist them with withdrawals, unaware of the potential risks.

“In small towns or villages, some of our mothers don’t know how to withdraw money, so they give their phones to the agent. Since the agent now knows the code, it becomes easy for him to give your number and PIN to someone who can withdraw the money,” he explained.

He added that weak or easily guessable PINs, such as 1234 or 0000, also make users easy targets. Fraudsters often exploit these vulnerabilities by calling unsuspecting victims, pretending to be relatives in need of urgent help.

In one recent case he highlighted, a woman was deceived by callers who claimed they needed help sending money to a sibling. They directed her to a mobile money agent and instructed her to hand her phone to the agent. Because she falsely claimed to know the caller, the agent followed the instructions given by the fraudster—ending with the woman’s entire balance being withdrawn.

Mr. Anane urged the public to remain vigilant. “Nowadays, people do not give out money anyhow, so everyone must be careful when someone claims they are sending you money,” he said.

He advised users never to disclose their PINs—especially not through children sent on errands—and to always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a relative, particularly those who say they are calling from abroad.

“Your PIN is a secret code,” he stressed. “Do not let anyone see it or share it easily.”

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan