Profiting from desperation: How loan apps in Ghana weaponise big tech ads

At 1:40 pm, the message came in.  “If you don’t pay by 12 noon, we will rain curses on you, and you will die… We have the contact information of all your family members, and we will embarrass you.” Minutes later, another followed, escalating in tone and urgency. Then another, warning of catastrophe, shame, and irreversible consequences. These were not anonymous scam messages. They came from a loan app.

By Caleb Ahinakwah