Is the video of President Mahama endorsing a crypto platform real?

No. The Bank of Ghana and SEC have confirmed it is a fake, AI-generated video. President Mahama has not endorsed any investment or crypto platform.

Is the investment platform shown in the Mahama deepfake video licensed?

No. The platform promoted is not licensed or authorized to accept deposits from the public in Ghana.

What should I do if I already sent money to the platform?

Contact your bank or mobile money provider immediately to attempt a reversal or freeze. Keep all records as evidence and report to the Bank of Ghana, SEC, and Ghana Police Service. Do not send more money.

How can I detect if an endorsement video is a deepfake?

Look for unnatural lip synchronization, odd blinking or facial movements, inconsistent lighting, and blurry facial features. Compressed video quality can also hide deepfake flaws.

Where should I report a deepfake investment scam in Ghana?

You can report to the Bank of Ghana, Securities and Exchange Commission of Ghana, and the Ghana Police Service’s cybercrime unit. Save all evidence before reporting.

Fake Mahama Deepfake Investment Scam: Ghana Warns Public

A fabricated video falsely depicting Ghana’s President John Mahama endorsing a cryptocurrency investment platform has gone viral, prompting urgent warnings from Ghana’s Bank of Ghana and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Authorities have confirmed the video is AI-generated and that the promoted platform is not licensed to receive deposits from the public.

Key Facts

The SEC and Bank of Ghana jointly warned the public against a deepfake video showing Mahama endorsing a crypto platform (source).
Fact-checkers at GhanaFact revealed the video is AI-manipulated (“deepfake”) (source).
The platform mentioned holds no approval or license from the Bank of Ghana or SEC.
Mahama’s brother, Ibrahim Mahama, has publicly warned about the scam on social media.
President Mahama’s official X (Twitter) account was reportedly hacked to promote crypto scams (Barron's).

How the Scam Works

Scammers use deepfake videos to mimic trusted figures, in this case President Mahama, to promote fake investment opportunities. These “investment” sites offer unbelievable returns, pressure users to deposit quickly, and are not registered by any official Ghanaian regulator. Once money is sent, victims are unable to recover their funds.

Why Deepfake Political Scams Are Dangerous

A head of state’s image carries authority, making this scam especially convincing. Deepfake technology makes detecting fakes harder for ordinary people. Similar scams using deepfakes have occurred in Australia (read more), the US, and globally.

Regulators’ Advice for Ghanaians

Never act on unsolicited “investment” videos, even if they appear official.
Verify platforms with the Bank of Ghana or SEC official websites.
Watch for deepfake signs: unnatural lip movement, odd lighting, or jerky video transitions.
Report scams immediately via regulator hotlines and local police.

If You Already Sent Money

Contact your bank or mobile money operator to attempt a transaction freeze. Save proof of communication and report immediately to authorities. Do not send more money in hopes your loss will be recovered; this is a common follow-up scam tactic.

Conclusion

The fake Mahama deepfake investment scam weaponises trust in government to steal from citizens. Ghanaian regulators recommend vigilance, skepticism of viral investment pitches, and always using official sources to verify before investing.

Fake Mahama Deepfake Investment Scam Flagged by Ghana Regulators