Princess Shyngle says a stranger tried to pay with a card in her name. Here is how card details leak, and what to do

Princess Shyngle, the Gambian actress who works in Ghana, says someone tried to pay with an American Express card bearing her name, and that it was not her. The attempt was reportedly stopped before it went through, according to YEN.com.gh and Adomonline. Everything about the incident is her account, as reported; no one has been identified.

What she says happened

In a video she posted on Wednesday 28 October, YEN.com.gh reported, the actress said the card was presented on the night of Tuesday 27 October at a venue called Lagos District. YEN.com.gh and Linda Ikeji's Blog both name the venue, and she names it in the video herself, which YabaLeftOnline reposted on X on 29 October.

The owner of Lagos District reportedly flagged the transaction, halted it and alerted her, YEN.com.gh and Adomonline reported. She thanked the owner, according to YEN.com.gh. The venue is not accused of any wrongdoing. Outlets differ on where it is, and QMS News has not confirmed its location.

Who tried to use the card, and how the person got her details, was not known when YEN.com.gh and Adomonline published. Adomonline, Linda Ikeji's Blog and Ghanamma reported that she says she has contacted the police. In the video she said she never thought, in her wildest dream, that she would be a victim of identity theft, in Adomonline's published wording.

How card details usually leak

There is no report of how her details were obtained. But Ghana's regulators have described the most common route.

The Cyber Security Authority's CERT-GH has warned about fraudsters who pose as bank staff and walk customers through a fake card-linking process, asking for the card verification value (CVV, the security code printed on the card) and its expiry date. The Bank of Ghana, in a press release on 7 October 2026, warned about unsolicited calls and text messages asking for a PIN, password or one-time code (OTP).

"No legitimate bank, mobile money operator, payment service provider, or financial institution will request your PIN, password, or OTP via phone calls, text messages, emails, or social media," the release says. The CSA gives the same advice: never share PINs, card verification values or OTPs.

How big the problem is

Ghana recorded an estimated ₵209.7 million in losses from 4,938 reported cybercrime incidents between January and September 2026, Cyber Security Authority Director-General Dr Divine Selasi Agbeti said at the Cyber Secure Volta conference in Ho on 24 October, GNA and ModernGhana reported. Those are reported losses only; the Director-General said many victims never report.

What to do

Switch on transaction alerts. The Bank of Ghana advises customers to activate and monitor transaction alerts, and to use biometrics and two-factor authentication where offered.
Report fast. The Bank of Ghana says to report any suspected fraud or unauthorised transaction to your bank immediately; the CSA says to call or visit your branch.
Know the card guarantees. Visa's Zero Liability Policy says cardholders will not be held responsible for unauthorised charges, and asks them to notify their bank immediately. American Express's Fraud Protection Guarantee says customers will not be held responsible for fraudulent charges, provided they took reasonable care and report promptly. Terms vary by issuer and country, so check your own card's terms.
Report it to the CSA. The authority's 24-hour points of contact are call or text 292, WhatsApp 0501603111 and report@csa.gov.gh. The CSA Director-General confirmed the 292 short code on 24 October, GNA reported.

WHAT HAPPENED? is a QMS show that explains the story behind the headlines. This story is based on the episode's fact check.