Government Issues Urgent Warning Over Fraudulent GH¢3,500 LEAP Empowerment Fund Scam

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection of Ghana has issued an urgent public warning regarding a fraudulent online advertisement claiming the existence of a "LEAP GH¢3,500 Empowerment Fund 2026." In a collaborative statement with the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Management Secretariat, the Ministry clarified that the advertisement is entirely fake and has not been authorized by any official government body. This scam represents a targeted effort to exploit vulnerable populations who rely on social intervention programs for financial support.

According to Dr. Myle Ongoh, Head of the LEAP Programme, the fraudulent advertisement often includes a malicious website link (https://leap-gh.offer-it.live/grant) designed to harvest sensitive personal and financial information. Authorities have emphasized that accessing this link or providing data through the platform poses a severe risk of personal data theft and financial loss. The Ministry noted that these cybercriminals are leveraging the trusted reputation of the LEAP program to deceive citizens into compromising their digital security.

To mitigate the risk of victimization, the Gender Ministry is urging the public to refrain from clicking on the suspicious link or sharing the advertisement on social media. Citizens are strongly advised to rely exclusively on official government communication channels and verified news outlets for information regarding social safety net programs. The Ministry further called on the media and the general public to assist in spreading awareness to ensure that no more citizens fall prey to these deceptive tactics.

This incident underscores a growing trend of digital fraud targeting state-sponsored poverty alleviation initiatives in Ghana. As the government continues to manage the legitimate LEAP program to support the nation's most vulnerable, officials remind the public that authentic social interventions do not require applications through unofficial third-party websites. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities to help curb the spread of online scams and protect the integrity of national welfare programs.