... It seems to happen out of the blue. One day, your phone randomly loses signal, and maybe this time it's not so much a cell tower issue but something far more sinister. South Africa is haemorrhaging a casual R5.3 billion every year thanks to telecommunications fraud, and nearly 60% of that is tied to mobile banking scams powered by SIM ...

... The University of South Africa (Unisa) has today put out a notice for students and other stakeholders to be weary of scams taking the form of school services and fraudsters selling completed assignments. In an announcement, Unisa states that it is seeing a noticeable increase in both companies and individuals trying to pass off various items or services which are ...

... How to avoid car-buying scams on social media: Your 2026 survival guide! Don't get fleeced on social media. From TikTok "agents" to fake WhatsApp deals, here is the 2026 guide to spotting car scams and buying safely in South Africa. Ane Albertse14 Apr 2026 * 12:42Buying a Car4 min read It's 2026, and rising fuel prices have everyone scrambling for ...

... Durban - Members of the public have been urged to remain on high alert following a surge in WhatsApp account takeover scams reported across South Africa. Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said it has received multiple complaints from victims who were targeted through a verification code scam that allows fraudsters to gain control of their accounts. According to RUSA, victims ...

... South Africa ranks among the countries most exposed to scam attempts globally, with one in five of us saying they experience at least one scam attempt every day, according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) Global State of Scams 2025 Report. Sanlam says the real defence against this growing threat may be surprisingly simple: reporting, rather than ignoring, the attempts. ...

... Online romance scams, it seems, are not only trending during events such as Valentine's Day, but all year round. It is a rapidly growing, high-stakes fraud in South Africa, often involving sophisticated criminals posing as romantic partners to extort money, with reported losses exceeding millions of rands in single cases. South Africans are once again cautioned to beware of online ...

... background checks," a major red flag. In many cases, victims are asked to pay upfront fees, taxes, or insurance costs before a loan is "released." Once payment is made, the scammer disappears. Industry insights show that loan scams remain one of the most common forms of fintech fraud in South Africa, preying on individuals in urgent need of financial assistance. ...

... respondents in the survey said they were targeted with courier and delivery scams, topping 41% that reported being targeted by email and SMS phishing attempts. With online shopping becoming more common in South Africa, many consumers were more frequently awaiting packages for delivery. Fraudsters exploited this by sending messages via email, SMS, and instant messaging, stating that payments were due ...

... become. Victims lost an average of over $20,000 each, reflecting the serious financial impact of online fraud, hacking, and scams. Nigeria and South Africa's Position Among the countries affected, Nigeria and South Africa were listed among the top 20 nations with the highest number of cybercrime complaints. Although their figures are lower than countries like the United States, Canada, and ...

... Scams involving bank accounts are increasingly common, and reporting them quickly can help prevent further fraud and protect others. If you have been targeted or noticed suspicious activity, taking the right steps is essential. Understanding how to report a scammer bank account in South Africa ensures that authorities and financial institutions can take action promptly. Acting fast improves the chances ...

... background checks," a major red flag. In many cases, victims are asked to pay upfront fees, taxes, or insurance costs before a loan is "released." Once payment is made, the scammer disappears. Industry insights show that loan scams remain one of the most common forms of fintech fraud in South Africa, preying on individuals in urgent need of financial assistance. ...

... It seems to happen out of the blue. One day, your phone randomly loses signal, and maybe this time it's not so much a cell tower issue but something far more sinister. South Africa is haemorrhaging a casual R5.3 billion every year thanks to telecommunications fraud, and nearly 60% of that is tied to mobile banking scams powered by SIM ...

... prepared for deployment as traffic officers at various centres across the province. The department has cautioned residents about online scams falsely advertising traffic officer training and requesting payment from applicants. It emphasised that no payment is required to apply and that applications must be submitted through the official Western Cape Government jobs website. "We caution residents about the various scams ...

... and reliable options. "Some even fall victim to scams and the stress of preparing for graduation can be overwhelming," he said. Affordable solutions for graduates With the high cost of living, he decided to find cost effective solutions for those graduates. Since not everyone can afford to buy or rent graduation attire, he has the option for rental which promotes ...

... tasks. Others reward you retroactively for things you've already done months earlier. And some, as we'll cover, are outright scams designed to steal your funds. Why Do Companies Airdrop Crypto? No project gives away tokens out of generosity. There's always a strategic reason behind a crypto airdrop, and understanding those reasons helps you spot which ones are worth paying attention ...

... in road traffic law enforcement before deployment to traffic centres across the province. However, the department has raised serious concerns about online scams falsely advertising traffic officer training and demanding payment from hopeful applicants. Officials emphasise that no payment is required for the legitimate programme and applications can only be submitted through the official Western Cape Government Jobs webpage. READ ...

... services have already been compromised. "Residents are also encouraged to share the warning widely, especially with elderly family members who may be more vulnerable to such scams." Boiles added that the CPF is working in partnership with the South African Police Service and remains committed to improving community safety. Why this matters In SIM swap fraud cases, criminals attempt to ...

... topping 41% that said they were targeted by email and SMS scams. South Africa's e-commerce explosion has led to increased use of courier services, which threat actors have exploited using AI to craft targeted fraud attempts. Van Rensburg said that these scams have created a new cybersecurity priority for companies in South Africa, as threat actors look to gain access ...

... He explains some of the ways to distinguish legitimate calls from potential scams. "[There are] clear identifications. When somebody calls you, they need to tell you who they are, where they're from, and who they represent, so that you know exactly who you're talking to at the time. "You must not feel rushed. So, if somebody says,'Hey, you click ...

... also gained national recognition after finishing as a runner-up in the Miss South Africa 2025 competition, further expanding her influence and visibility. This latest incident, however, highlights a different side of life in the spotlight-one where public figures are not immune to everyday risks. In fact, their visibility can sometimes make them targets for scams and fraudulent schemes. Fans quickly ...