Scam alert in Ghana: everything you need to know

What is the Worldremit Money Doubling Scheme scam?

The Bank of Ghana has identified a money doubling scheme operating in Ghana under the name “Worldremit”. This fraudulent scheme is not affiliated with WorldRemit, and we’re not operating under the name “Worldremit.”

The money doubling scheme is usually presented as an opportunity to double (or sometimes triple, or more) your money, if you hand over a certain amount of money to ‘invest’. Money doubling schemes are always a scam; if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

A press release from October 2022 said, “This scheme encourages customers to select preferred packages, following which a code is generated by the fraudsters with which they obtain the WhatsApp accounts of their victims for spurious purposes. The scheme is fraudulent and does not reward investors as promised.”

If you think that you may have been contacted by a fraudster under this scheme, you’re advised to report these activities to the Central Bank. You can also check the credentials of any financial institution with the Bank of Ghana or another relevant authority, prior to sending any money transfers.

Money Doubling Scheme Scam: what to look out for

There are ways to protect yourself from a money doubling scheme, including from the Worldremit scam in Ghana.

• WorldRemit and its partners will never contact you via WhatsApp. If you receive a WhatsApp message claiming to be sent from WorldRemit, it’s likely to be a fraud. All official messages and communications from WorldRemit will be sent via our app or via email.

• Check the name - WorldRemit is always styled in a particular way, and is the same on apps, websites, and elsewhere. If you see anything from “World Remit,” “Worldremit,” or similar, it’s likely to be fraudulent.

• When you’re sending money with WorldRemit, make sure that you use our app or website, and that you know the person you’re sending money to.

How to avoid a money transfer scam

You can protect yourself from money transfer scams by making sure you’re aware of any popular online scams. We’ve put together a detailed guide to help you stay safe when sending money online.

If you’re contacted unexpectedly, or if you’re asked to send money in a hurry, or to someone you don’t know, be careful. Equally, if you’re asked for personal information, like a PIN number or password in a text message or WhatsApp message, it’s likely to be a fraud. You can always contact us to check if a message you’ve received is, in fact, from WorldRemit. Your bank and other reputable financial institutions will never ask you for personal information without confirming that they are who they say they are.

How to report a scam

People who run scams can be very convincing. You don’t need to be embarrassed or ashamed if you’ve been caught by a scammer, but you should report it. Here’s how to do that.

Contact your bank

If you think that you’ve been the victim of a scam, or if you’re worried that someone has asked for your details in order to carry out a fraudulent scheme, there are different ways to report it. You should contact your bank as soon as possible. You might be able to get some of your money back, depending on how you paid, so it’s always worth asking.

If you paid with a credit card, there are sometimes extra securities in place. So, contact your credit card company and report an unauthorised transaction. They might be able to stop the payment, reimburse you or reverse the payments.

Contact WorldRemit

If you think you’ve been victim to the Worldremit Money Doubling Scheme, or something similar, or if you have sent a money transfer with us and you think it was a scam, contact us to see how we can help.

Update your passwords

If you think someone has access to your online accounts, you should change your password to a new, secure one. Make sure it’s different to passwords you use elsewhere. Protect your information by updating your passwords regularly, and run a security check on your computer, if you have one.

Ghana Money Transfer Scam: FAQs

How to contact WorldRemit?

Our FAQ has answers to almost every question, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, or if you need more information, we’re available all day, every day on Live Chat, too. Contact us here.

Can I get my money back if I was the victim of a money transfer scam?

Sometimes you can get your money back if you’ve been scammed. It depends on how you paid, and whether extra security is in place. It’s always worth asking your bank or credit card company if the transaction can be cancelled or reversed.

Disclaimer: The contents of this blog post does not constitute legal or financial advice and is provided for general information purposes only. If you require specific legal and / or financial advice you should contact a specialist lawyer or financial advisor. Information true at time of publishing.