As businesses grow and transact more digitally, the opportunities increase, but so do the risks. Fraudsters are using sophisticated tactics, making digital banking security essential to protecting cash flow, reputation and growth. The Standard Bank Business Digital Security Centre helps businesses understand these threats and strengthen their defences. Many scams rely on social engineering rather…
Black Axe is a shadowy criminal network known for its extreme violence and operates across Africa, Europe and North America. A BBC Eye investigation in 2021 suggested the syndicate had become one of the most far-reaching and dangerous organised crime groups in the world. Nigeria is its main recruitment ground and many of its members…
Artificial intelligence deepfakes have become a major financial crime threat. (Image source: iStock) The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) is stepping up enforcement against artificial intelligence (AI)-powered financial scams, as deepfakes become one of SA’s fastest-growing regulatory challenges. The regulator’s newly-released Regulatory Actions Report for the 2025/26 financial year identifies online financial harm as one…
South Africa is one of the few markets with the highest rate of suspected digital fraud attempts. (Image source: 123RF) South Africa had the highest rate of suspected digital fraud among African countries analysed, with 3% of transactions involving consumers in South Africa being suspected of digital fraud during 2025 – slightly below the global…
TUT has warned of a spike in fraud and scam attempts targeting students and parents. As thousands of newly-qualified matriculants begin navigating university applications and registration process, the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has raised the alarm over a sharp increase in fraud and scam activity aimed at exploiting students. TUT says the January to…
As the season of giving unfolds, cybercriminals are taking advantage of holiday stress and the rush. In 2025, festive season scams are not only more common, they’re powered by AI and automation, making them harder to spot. Researchers at Check Point detected 33,502 Christmas-themed phishing emails in the past two weeks alone, along with more…
A domain name scam is a form of cybercrime designed to deceive domain owners into paying for fake services, revealing sensitive information, or unknowingly handing over control of their domain. Criminals use these scams to impersonate reputable companies, set up fake domain services, or create convincing copycat websites to steal customer data. Any business can…
Tali Anderssen, legal and compliance executive at RCS. RCS and TymeBank are sounding the alarm over a sharp rise in online harm, warning that digital violence against women and AI-driven scams are becoming major risks for public safety and economic stability. The warnings come during International Fraud Awareness Week (16-22 November) and ahead of the…
When Mary May started buying from third-party sellers on Walmart’s online marketplace, she said she assumed the products she was purchasing were the same as the ones she’d long bought in stores. So in late March when she said she saw a “ridiculous sale” on her favorite Neuriva brain supplements on Walmart‘s marketplace, she bought…
Christo de Wit, country manager for SA, Luno. New data from Luno, SA’s crypto-currency platform, reveals that while crypto-related scams affect less than 1% of its 14 million customers, scams and fraudulent misrepresentation remain the most prevalent forms of fraud in digital currency. A recent case involving a South African man who lost R4 million…
