A Case Study That Could Save Your Money—and Your Peace of Mind
Ghana rental scams are more common than many realize—and they often begin with a message like the one that landed on my phone: “Modern 2-bedroom apartment in Kasoa. Fully furnished with A/C, Wi-Fi, and Netflix. Just $20/night or GHS 3,000/month.”
I nearly scrolled past it. Almost fell for it.
But something made me pause. The offer seemed too perfect—a blend of comfort, convenience, and affordability that checked every box for both travelers and long-term residents. Yet beneath this polished facade lay a carefully constructed trap that thousands of hopeful renters fall into each year across Ghana.
The Psychology Behind Ghana Rental Scams
What makes a rental scam so effective isn’t just the property itself—it’s how the offering speaks to our deepest housing desires. This particular listing had mastered the art:
“Short or long-term stays available. Book through Airbnb or contact us directly.“
Flexibility, options, convenience—these are magic words that bypass our critical thinking. But as I examined the details more carefully, the inconsistencies began to surface like cracks in a poorly constructed foundation.
The Numbers Game: When Math Doesn’t Add Up
The first warning sign was hiding in plain sight: the pricing structure made no financial sense.
At $20 per night, a month’s stay would cost approximately GHS 9,000 at current exchange rates. Yet mysteriously, the “special” monthly rate was only GHS 3,000—a staggering 66% discount that defied business logic.
When questioned about this mathematical impossibility, the responses began to shift like sand:
“Utilities change with the dollar.” “Monthly tenants pay their own utilities.” “We list in USD for convenience.“
Each explanation contradicted the previous one. Each answer raised more questions than it answered.
The Currency Manipulation Tactic
Perhaps the most telling red flag was the open admission that the nightly rate “changes daily based on forex rates.” This wasn’t just a suspicious business practice—it was actually illegal.
Ghanaian law mandates that local services, including rental agreements, must be quoted in cedis only. The dollar pegging wasn’t merely confusing—it was a deliberate strategy to create a moving target where the renter always loses.
Housing authorities are familiar with the playbook: take a deposit in dollars, then either disappear completely or claim the cedi “devalued overnight” as justification for demanding more money.
The Platform Bait-and-Switch
The listing suggested, “Book through Airbnb,” offering the comforting impression of platform protection and verification. Yet tellingly, no actual Airbnb link was provided, and no verifiable listing information existed.
This approach serves two purposes for scammers: they either send fraudulent platform links to collect payment information or use Airbnb’s perceived legitimacy as cover while steering potential victims toward direct payments, effectively removing all buyer protections.
Reading Between the Lines
When pressed about the utilities supposedly justifying the GHS 6,000+ gap between pricing models, the explanation collapsed under minimal scrutiny. No 2-bedroom apartment in Ghana—even with heavy air conditioning use and premium internet packages—could possibly generate utility bills approaching GHS 6,000 monthly.
This is a textbook example of how Ghana rental scams operate—blending charm, confusion, and urgency. The truth was becoming clearer: this wasn’t about utilities or convenience. It was about confusion and exploitation.
Protecting Yourself from Ghana Rental Scams
While not every suspicious listing ends in outright fraud, this case exhibited all the warning patterns of either a scam operation, unethical currency manipulation, or potentially even money laundering through dollar-based transactions.
To avoid becoming a victim, remember these essential safeguards:
- Insist on fixed cedi pricing — it’s not just clearer; it’s the legal standard
- Verify platform listings independently — never follow links sent directly to you
- Visit properties personally or send a trusted representative before any payments
- Never transfer money through messaging apps, mobile money, or bank transfers unless through verified platforms
- Use reverse image search to check if the property photos appear in multiple unrelated listings
The Verdict
When a rental opportunity feels too good to be true, there’s usually a reason. When the math doesn’t add up, when explanations keep shifting, when convenience seems strangely one-sided—these aren’t coincidences. They’re warnings.
Even if this particular listing wasn’t an outright scam, its questionable practices and pricing built on currency confusion made it a financial risk not worth taking.
In Ghana’s competitive rental market, the most valuable currency isn’t dollars or cedis—it’s vigilance. Because when an offer smells fishy, it’s usually bait.
