Stay safe on Ghanasi

Most people on Ghanasi are honest. These habits protect you from the few who aren't.

The golden rule

Never pay before you have seen and checked the item. No deposits, no "delivery fee" to a stranger, and no MoMo transfers for items you haven't inspected. Ghanasi never asks you to pay for anything.

How we check ads

• Every new ad is checked by a moderator before it goes live.
• We flag copied photos, prices far below similar ads, scam wording and numbers with scam reports.
• Shops with the ✓ Verified badge have a WhatsApp number that matches their Google Maps business profile, and real Google reviews.
• Phone numbers are only shown when a buyer asks, which stops people from collecting them in bulk.

Meeting a seller

• Meet in a busy public place: a mall, a filling station, or the seller's shop.
• Go in daytime and take someone with you.
• Test the item fully before handing over money.

Cars

• Do the transfer of ownership at a DVLA office with the seller present.
• Match the chassis number on the car with the papers.
• Take a mechanic you trust to inspect it, including underneath.
• Never pay a deposit to hold a car you haven't seen.

Renting a room or house

• Visit the property and meet the landlord or owner before paying anything.
• The Rent Act (Act 220) limits rent advance to 6 months. The Rent Control Department has enforced this since 1 April 2026.
• For land, do a search at the Lands Commission before you pay.
• Get a written tenancy or sale agreement and keep receipts.
• Agent fees are usually a share of one year's rent. Agree on the fee before viewing.

Phones and electronics

• Check the IMEI by dialling *#06# and compare it with the box.
• Test the screen, camera, charging port and speakers before paying.
• Make sure the phone is signed out of iCloud or Google.
• Switch it on and test it in front of you.
• Ask for the serial number and any warranty papers.
• For solar and inverters, confirm the battery type and age.

Jobs

• Never pay a fee to get a job or an interview.
• Meet at the company's office, not a private address.
• Don't hand over your Ghana Card before you see an offer letter.

Returns, refunds and warranty

Ghanasi doesn't sell items or take payments. You buy directly from the seller, so any return, refund or warranty is agreed between you and them.

• See and test the item before you pay. Once you have paid in person, most private sellers don't take items back.
• Ask the seller about returns or warranty before you buy, and get the answer in writing (a WhatsApp message is fine).
• Shops often give a warranty on phones and electronics. Ask for a receipt that shows it.

Delivery

Ghanasi doesn't post or deliver items. You collect from the seller, or agree delivery with them. If an item is delivered, pay on delivery after checking it, never before.

If something goes wrong

Stop contact and don't send more money. Report it to the Ghana Police Cybercrime Unit and your mobile money provider, then report the seller here to warn others.