Scammers Target Individuals with Social Engineering Tactics

• •Scammers increasingly target individuals using social engineering rather than technical exploits.
• •Phishing, smishing, vishing, and QR-shing are common tactics employed by fraudsters.
• •35% of Namibians affected by digital fraud reported losses from fake online sellers.

Fraudsters are increasingly using social engineering tactics to exploit individuals rather than targeting technical systems, according to Abner Kashikola, IT Security Specialist at Letshego Holdings Namibia. Common scams include phishing, smishing, vishing, and QR-shing, which deceive victims into revealing personal information. A TransUnion report from June 2026 indicated that 35% of Namibians affected by digital fraud fell victim to fake online sellers. Other prevalent scams involve phone calls that create panic to extract one-time passwords and fake investment schemes on social media. Kashikola emphasized that these scams manipulate trust and emotions, making it crucial for individuals to be cautious with unexpected requests for personal information. He advised verifying any suspicious messages independently. The rise of SIM card cloning and fraudulent job offers further complicates the landscape of digital fraud in Namibia.