The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has issued a nationwide alert warning customers about a surge in fraudulent schemes involving fake meter sales and mobile money (MoMo) extortion, with impostors posing as company officials to deceive unsuspecting members of the public.
The General Manager for External Communications, Dr. Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, who gave the warning, indicated that “ECG runs a fully cashless system,” and that “All payments must go through the ECG Power App or the shortcode *226#. Money sent to a personal MoMo number does not reach the company and will not reflect on your account”.
Two Active Schemes Targeting ECG Customers
Dr. Ayiku described two distinct schemes currently being used by fraudsters across the country.
The first involves meter sales. Individuals pose as ECG staff or agents and offer new meters for a fee. Some promise quick installation. Others advertise on WhatsApp and social media, particularly TikTok. The customer pays, and the supposed agent disappears. In other cases, the customer receives an unregistered meter, which ECG treats as an illegal connection.
“ECG does not sell meters through individuals,” Dr. Ayiku said. “Apply for a new meter or service through our official channels, including our district offices and the ECG Power App. Pay the approved fees through the ECG Power App”.
The second scheme starts with a phone call. The caller claims to work for ECG and tells the customer their meter is ready. The caller then provides a MoMo number and asks the customer to pay at once.
“Our staff do not ask customers to pay into personal mobile money wallets,” Dr. Ayiku said. “Treat any such call as a fraud attempt”.
How the Scammers Succeed
Dr. Ayiku explained that the scammers rely on urgency, pressuring victims to pay before they check the facts. He urged customers to take their time and verify every request first.
The fraudsters have also been known to download photographs of legitimate ECG staff from digital platforms and use them to impersonate officials in order to extort money from customers. ECG has clarified that it has not authorised any individual or third-party agent to privately contact customers about meter acquisition or related services.
Previous Incidents Across Ghana
The scam is not new. In September 2025, ECG uncovered cases of MoMo fraud in the Ashanti Region, where fraudsters called customers to deposit money into mobile money accounts for meters to be installed or replaced. In one incident, a customer who had applied for a meter at the Adum District office was asked to pay GH¢900 for the meter to be installed. After paying, the fraudsters demanded an additional GH¢500 as an installation fee. The customer became suspicious and visited the ECG office for clarification, only to realise he had been defrauded. In a similar incident at Breman, an elderly man was defrauded of GH¢2,000.
The fraudsters have been reported in Adum, Kokoben, Suame, Danyame, Abuakwa, and Ahinsan Districts, among others, where they impersonate ECG officials including District Managers, accountants, and Technical Officers.
ECG’s Fully Cashless System
The scam alert comes as ECG has transitioned to a fully cashless payment system. All payments must now be made exclusively through the ECG Power App or by dialing *226#. The ECG Power App, available on both Android and iOS platforms, allows customers to add and view meters, pay bills, monitor energy consumption in real-time, and report issues. Payments can be made via mobile money, Visa, or Mastercard, and notably, payments made through the ECG PowerApp do not attract mobile money transaction fees or the E-Levy.
Customers without smartphones can equally access ECG payment services through the shortcode *226#.
In February 2026, ECG also began deploying Franchise Officers nationwide to enhance service delivery. These officers assist customers with payments through approved digital platforms, and ECG has stressed that cash payments are strictly prohibited and franchise officers are not permitted to accept cash.
How to Protect Yourself
Dr. Ayiku urged customers to protect themselves with a few simple habits:
· Never send money to a MoMo number given by a caller, even when the caller claims to be ECG staff.
· Do not buy a meter from an individual, an online advert, or a WhatsApp contact.
· Buy power and pay bills only through the ECG Power App or *226#.
· Keep your PIN, password, and any verification code to yourself.
· When someone visits your home or shop in ECG’s name, ask to see a staff ID card.
· If a call feels suspicious, end it and report the number to ECG and the police.
“Pay only through the ECG Power App or *226#,” Dr. Ayiku said. “Treat all other payment requests as fraud and report them”.
How to Report a Scam
ECG has encouraged customers who receive suspicious calls to report them immediately to the nearest ECG office or contact the company’s official customer service line on 0302 611 611 for verification and assistance. Customers can also reach ECG via email at help@ecggh.com or through its official social media handles @ECGghOfficial. Victims of such scams are also advised to report the perpetrators to the nearest police station.
ECG Collaborating with Police
ECG has announced that it is collaborating with the Ghana Police Service to track down and arrest fraudsters targeting customers through mobile money scams. Dr. Ayiku confirmed that intelligence gathered so far indicates a coordinated criminal network operating across multiple regions. “These criminals pretend to be ECG officials and deceive customers into sending money for reconnection or meter replacement. We are collaborating with the police to bring them to justice,” he said.
The Ghana Police Service has urged victims of such scams to file formal complaints with supporting evidence to assist ongoing investigations.
The Official Meter Application Process
For customers seeking a new meter, ECG has outlined the proper procedure. Prospective customers must complete wiring with certified electricians, obtain an installation certificate stamped by both the electrician and the inspector after inspection, submit the relevant forms to an ECG office, and pay a registration fee of GH¢100. Applications can also be initiated through the ECG PowerApp by clicking on “Service Request” and following the prompts.
ECG has emphasised that all legitimate processes for new meter applications are handled strictly at ECG offices or via official platforms, and that the distribution process remains transparent and strictly guided by approved applications.
A Growing National Concern
The rise in ECG-related scams reflects a broader trend of mobile money fraud in Ghana. The cashless payment system, while designed to enhance convenience and security, has also created new opportunities for criminals who exploit the public’s trust in digital transactions. ECG has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting customers from scams while ensuring continuous transparency and improved service delivery nationwide.
As the festive season approaches, ECG is urging all customers to remain vigilant and to verify every payment request through official channels. “Money sent to a personal MoMo number does not reach the company and will not reflect on your account,” Dr. Ayiku reiterated. “Treat all other payment requests as fraud and report them.”
