As Black Friday and the festive season draw near, South Africans are urged to remain vigilant against a wave of increasingly sophisticated scams, many powered by artificial intelligence (AI).

Last month a Pietermaritzburg man, who asked not to be named for his safety, received what appeared to be a routine notification: His R35 000 loan application with Wonga could not be processed until he updated his FICA documents, The Witness reports.

The problem? He had never applied for such a loan.

Attached to the message were documents bearing his name, ID number, and address. Everything matched except for the face in the photo.

The ID copy was certified and looked authentic, but the picture wasn’t me.

“That’s when I knew something was horribly wrong,” he said.

He immediately opened a case at the Mountain Rise police station. With the help of a detective, he discovered the message was not from Wonga at all, it was a highly sophisticated phishing scam designed to extract more of his personal data.

But the damage was already done.

When he checked his bank accounts, R80 000 was missing. His address had been changed to one in the North West province, his contact details replaced, and new bank cards had already been issued, all without him stepping into a branch.

They had access to both my banks. Money was moved between my own accounts before it disappeared. The scariest part is how easily they bypassed in-person verification.

“It’s like living in a crime thriller, only this time, I’m the main character,” he said.

He suspects the scam involves insiders within the banking system, describing it as “an organised operation that knows too much.”

AI: The new tool for criminals

According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric), criminals are increasingly using AI to create realistic and convincing fraud schemes.

These range from flawless phishing emails and cloned voices to deepfake videos and fake investment platforms mimicking legitimate companies.

Sabric data shows that digital banking fraud accounted for 65,3% of all reported financial crime incidents last year, most involving social engineering rather than system hacks.

While overall losses have decreased, criminals have adapted, using AI to make scams more personalised and believable.

“If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always verify before clicking on pop-up websites or sharing personal information,” Sabric warned.

The Witness has reported on numerous scams across KwaZulu-Natal, including WhatsApp impersonations, bogus online stores, and fake holiday bookings that leave victims out of pocket.

In one case, a Howick woman sent R1 000 to a ‘younger sister’, only to discover later her sibling’s WhatsApp account had been hacked.

My sister usually asks for money, so it didn’t seem strange. But I realised later the tone was different.

“It was a scam,” she said.

Mountain Rise police spokesperson Warrant Officer Panchael Singh said his station continues to receive multiple fraud complaints.

“Don’t deposit money for online purchases until you’ve verified the seller.

“Be wary of emails claiming that your debtor has changed banking details, always confirm directly.

“And never respond to unsolicited messages offering loans,” Singh warned.

Meanwhile, Anna Collard, chief content strategist at KnowBe4 Africa, said scammers are now using emotional manipulation to target victims.

“Cyber-criminals don’t just use fear or urgency, they also exploit compassion and love,” she said.

She cited AI-generated charity scams featuring fake testimonials, images of children or disaster victims, and deepfake videos.

Always pause before you donate.

“Verify the cause using independent sources, and take at least 24 to 48 hours before making emotional financial decisions,” she advised.

Small businesses also in the crosshairs

Cyber-security experts are warning small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to tighten security as hackers intensify attacks during peak shopping seasons.

John Dalton, head of engineering at Lula, said one in three SMEs have fallen victim to cyber-attacks.

“Small businesses must treat digital security with the same seriousness as physical security.

“Once compromised, recovery can be financially devastating,” Dalton said.

Quick safety checklist

• Enable two-factor authentication.
• Change passwords regularly.
• Avoid free Wi-Fi when banking.
• Update your antivirus and phone software.
• Report scams immediately to your bank and SAPS.

Who to contact

• Sabric Hotline: 011 641 8200.
• SA Fraud Prevention Services (SAFPS): 0860 101 248.
• Report cyber-crime to cybercrime@saps.gov.za
• Your local police station.

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