Online Scams & Fraud in South Africa

May 4, 2023

Though cybercrimes are criminalized in South Africa, they are still rampant with millions being lost yearly. The lack of a centralized reporting system means that citizens have to report to local police stations which makes data collection and appropriate action difficult.

That said, several organizations are stepping up efforts to fight scams. They include; The Cybersecurity Hub, The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), and the Police Economic Crime Unit.

Read on to find out all you need to know about online scams and fraud in South Africa including where to report scams and where to get victim support.

Scam Statistics in South Africa

The key statistics on online fraud in South Africa, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance

 

  2018 2019 2020 2021
Population 56.72 million 58.6 million 59.3 Million  60  million
Internet Penetration 67% 53% 55% 53%
# of Scams      27,928 30,000
Scams / 1,000     0.5 0.5
Money Lost   €13.2 million € 79 million € 90.4 million
Money Lost / Capita   € 0.32 € 1.34 € 1.5
Money Lost / Report     € 2,837 € 3,028.7

The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.

Where Can I Report a Scam in South Africa?

  • South African Police Service (SAPS)- The South African Police Service is the national police force of South Africa. They have a Cybercrime Unit that deals with cyber-related crimes, including online scams.
  • Cybersecurity Hub- They are the country’s National Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) where cyber incidents, including scams, can be reported.
  • South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC): SABRIC is a non-profit organization that represents the banking industry in South Africa. They focus on combating banking-related crimes, including online scams.
  • South African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS): The SAFPS is a non-profit organization that aims to prevent and minimize the effects of fraud and identity theft in South Africa. You can call SAFPS on 011-867 2234.

How to Report a Scam in South Africa

Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.

  • Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report.
  • Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
  • Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
  • Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.
     

Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.

Scam Victim Support in South Africa

We are unaware of any scam victim support in South Africa.

How to check for a scam in South Africa

Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services as well.

Anti-Scam Organizations & Consumer Authorities

Popular Scams in South Africa

Money Mule Scams

With South Africa experiencing one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, it's common to see people doing anything to boost their income. One of the fastest-raising scams in South Africa is the Money mule scam where people receive funds on their accounts from others.

The criminals approach the unsuspecting customers asking them if they have a bank account and if they would want to make some quick money. If the person agrees, the criminals will use the back accounts to transfer illegally obtained money and pay the account holder.

Don’t let the fraudsters misuse your kindness by using your account for money laundering or other illegal activities. Plus, never open a bank account in your name on behalf of anyone, irrespective of the prevailing circumstances. 

Scam News From South Africa

Image source: unsplash.com

Report a Scam!

Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!

Help & Info

Popular Stories

As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu

So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking.  If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal If you used PayPal, you have a strong chance of getting your money back if you were scammed. On their website, you can file a dispute within 180 calendar days of your purchase. Conditions to file a dispute: The simplest situation is that you ordered from an online store and it has not arrived. In this case this is what PayPal states: "If your order never shows up and the seller can't provide proof of shipment or delivery, you'll get a full refund. It's that simple." The scammer has sent you a completely different item. For example, you ordered a PlayStation 4, but instead received only a Playstation controller.  The condition of the item was misrepresented on the product page. This could be the