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Social Engineering Scams Cost South Africans R2.4 Billion in 2025

Social Engineering Scams Cost South Africans R2.4 Billion in 2025

First seen 7 Oct 2026, 10:57 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •October 7, 2026 at 10:57 UTC
  • •South Africans lost R2.4 billion to digital banking scams in 2025.
  • •Social engineering tactics, especially via WhatsApp, are the main attack vector.
  • •Victims often do not report losses, indicating potentially higher actual figures.

In 2025, South Africans lost R2.4 billion to digital banking crimes, primarily due to social engineering scams. The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) reported over 110,000 incidents, with WhatsApp scams being particularly prevalent. Criminals exploit emotional connections, using tactics like the 'Hi Mom' scam, where they impersonate a family member in distress to solicit money. Richard Ford from Integrity360 emphasized that these scams often rely on urgency and trust, making them difficult to detect. Victims may not report losses due to embarrassment, suggesting that actual figures could be higher. Ford advises verifying requests through trusted channels and warns of the dangers of AI voice cloning. The ongoing Cyber Security Awareness Month in October highlights the need for vigilance against such threats.

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Timeline

2025-01-01
R2.4 billion lost to scams
SABRIC reported that South Africans lost R2.4 billion to digital banking crimes in 2025, with over 110,000 incidents recorded.
Itweb.Co.Za
2026-10-01
Cyber Security Awareness Month begins
October is recognized as Cyber Security Awareness Month, focusing on the rising threat of social engineering.
Htxt.Co.Za

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Common questions

What types of scams are prevalent?
The 'Hi Mom' scam and account takeover scams on WhatsApp are particularly common.
How can I verify suspicious requests?
Always verify requests for money through a trusted channel, such as a phone call.
What should families do to protect themselves?
Establish a family code word for money requests and avoid sharing sensitive information.