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ADNews-Monrovia,Liberia: A new cyber scam that is more sophisticated than previous WhatsApp hacking has emerged in Liberia, targeting prominent individuals for financial extortion.
Investigation conducted proved that the operation is being carried out by a Sierra Leonean national using multiple identities: Ansu Moigua, Annis Moigua, and also known as Israel, along with a Liberian national identified as Joseph Somah, who is said to have multiple criminal connections and ideology.
Ansu and Somah reportedly use an intelligence-driven scam strategy called “WhatsApp Monk,” which allows them to falsify emails, phone numbers, and contacts to impersonate high-profile individuals. Through this technology, the duo allegedly engages victims in fraudulent conversations to collect money and other valuables.
Security sources described their actions as a “serious national security threat,” warning that even Liberia’s top leadership, including the president, vice president, speaker, and chief justice, could be at risk. The scammers are said to have impersonated the Central Bank governor, the minister of finance, and several investors, using the same fraudulent methods to solicit large sums of money.
In one recent operation, the suspects used the logo of Afric Daily Newspaper and the official email and contact information of its managing editor, Joseph Tumbey, to deceive a prominent Liberian figure.
The scam was uncovered when the targeted individual contacted Mr. Tumbey’s close associate to verify the communication, leading to the immediate discovery of the impersonation.
Mr. Tumbey subsequently issued a public disclaimer, warning citizens not to respond to any communication claiming to be from him via WhatsApp Business or similar platforms. He clarified that he uses only a regular WhatsApp account and cautioned that the “WhatsApp Business” platform could be easily exploited for fraudulent activities through the so-called WhatsApp Monk scheme.
An Afric Daily investigation revealed that the cybercriminals have been using their fake WhatsApp accounts to reach out to members of the business community, soliciting funds under the guise of Liberia’s top officials, including the Office of the President and the Speaker of the House, claiming the money was needed to support public functions.
A security expert has urged Liberian authorities to move swiftly to address the growing cyber threat, warning that failure to act could escalate into a major national security crisis.
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