A new wave of sophisticated  mobile money fraud has hit MTN users, leaving many Ghanaians vulnerable to financial losses. The scam, which targets unsuspecting  mobile money subscribers through fake OTP (One Time Password) prompts, has alarmed both telecom users and cybersecurity observers.

According to reports, victims receive an unexpected OTP on their phones which similar to the ones generated by the official MTN  mobile app. Although the user has not initiated any transaction, a pop-up menu immediately follows, requesting that the OTP be entered. This creates the illusion of a legitimate system prompt, leading many to comply without suspicion.

Security experts are warning the public to avoid inputting any OTPs that appear unprompted. Once the code is entered into the pop-up, fraudsters gain full access to the mobile money account and instantly transfer all funds to a Telecel account. What makes the scam particularly dangerous is that even after the user changes their MoMo PIN, any subsequent deposits made to the account are also automatically siphoned off.

Victims report that the transactions are swift and irreversible, leaving them without recourse. Authorities are urging users to be extremely cautious and to report any suspicious OTPs or pop-up prompts to MTN’s customer support immediately.

MTN Ghana has yet to issue an official statement on the specific scam, but experts believe it mimics phishing tactics used in digital banking frauds. Users are being advised to activate additional security measures, avoid sharing OTPs under any circumstances, and to treat every unsolicited code as a red flag.

As mobile money continues to be a central part of daily transactions in Ghana, staying alert and informed could mean the difference between security and sudden