Category:
Demonstrations and Unrest
Background
As the 2025 festive season approaches, a surge in criminal activity is expected, bringing heightened risks of scams, theft, and fraud that target both consumers and businesses. One of the most alarming trends is the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven scams, which make fraudulent schemes more convincing and difficult to detect. These scams leverage advanced artificial intelligence to generate realistic fake identities, cloned voices, deepfake videos, and phishing messages that closely mimic trusted organisations such as banks, lenders, and online retailers. Victims are often tricked into sharing personal information, approving false transactions, or transferring funds under the belief that the requests are legitimate.
Additionally, cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting emotional manipulation, using AI-driven scams that go beyond fear or urgency to prey on compassion and trust. These tactics include fake charity appeals with fabricated testimonials, images of children or disaster victims, and deepfake videos designed to provoke sympathy. By tapping into these emotions, criminals make it increasingly difficult for individuals to distinguish between genuine requests and fraudulent schemes, further compounding the risks during a period of heightened online activity
According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), digital banking fraud accounted for 65.3% of all reported financial crime incidents in 2024, with most cases involving social engineering rather than system hacks. This trend highlights the growing threat of AI-driven scams, as it demonstrates that criminals are increasingly leveraging deception and psychological manipulation to exploit victims. The seasonal spike in online shopping and electronic payments further amplifies this risk, creating a fertile ground for cybercriminals to exploit hurried decision-making and emotionally charged responses to seemingly urgent messages. All these factors contribute to a significantly elevated threat landscape across the banking, e-commerce, and small-business sectors during the festive period.
Key Threats to be Monitored
The festive season, including events such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas, is a peak period for consumer spending and online shopping. The high volume of transactions, combined with limited promotions and sales, creates an environment that criminals are quick to exploit. It is therefore crucial for consumers and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to strengthen their digital defences, as fraud and scams typically spike during this period.
KwaZulu-Natal has become a growing target for increasingly sophisticated scams, including WhatsApp impersonations, fake online stores, and fraudulent holiday bookings, according to a news media outlet. If individuals and businesses are not vigilant, they could easily fall victim to these scams, which often appear highly convincing and use personal information to create a sense of legitimacy. For instance, a person might receive a phishing message claiming that a loan application cannot be processed until FICA documents are updated, complete with real personal details such as their name, ID number, and address. Such scams can lead to severe financial losses, unauthorised account changes, and reputational harm. These tactics demonstrate how well-organised cybercriminals are becoming, using advanced methods and realistic communication to deceive even cautious individuals. Remaining alert and verifying all requests directly with trusted institutions is essential to avoid falling prey to these increasingly sophisticated operations.
Additional scams expected during the festive shopping period include:
- Fake online stores and cloned websites, where fraudsters create look alike e commerce sites that mimic legitimate retailers, take payments, and either never deliver goods or send counterfeit products.
- Brand impersonation and fake ads, where scammers pose as reputable brands on social media or messaging apps to direct shoppers to fraudulent checkout pages.
- Payment link or instant payment scams, in which fraudsters bypass the legitimate checkout process and request payments via real time clearing (RTC) or EFT.
- Card not present (CNP) fraud, occurring when online purchases are made without the physical card, which fraudsters exploit during periods of high e commerce activity.
- Bank or courier impersonation phishing (vishing/smishing), where fraudsters claim suspicious activity and request personal banking details or OTPs.
- In person physical fraud at retail stores or ATMs, including card theft, card swapping, shoulder surfing PINs, or installing card skimmers.
- Misleading discount or “bait marketing” tactics, where offers that seem too good to be true are used to lure consumers into making payments or providing personal information
Industry Advice
Monitor transactions for unusual activity and alert customers promptly of suspicious behaviour. Educate customers regularly about emerging scams, phishing attempts, and safe digital banking practices. Implement stronger authentication measures, including biometric verification, for high-risk transactions. Restrict or flag payments from unverified or high-risk sources to prevent fraud. Collaborate with law enforcement and cybersecurity agencies to track and respond to organised fraud attempts quickly. Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) on all online accounts to add an extra layer of security. Regularly update and change passwords, ensuring they are strong and unique for each account. Avoid using public or free Wi-Fi networks when accessing banking or sensitive accounts. Keep antivirus software, operating systems, and mobile applications up to date to protect against emerging threats. Report any suspected scams or fraudulent activity immediately to your bank and the South African Police Service (SAPS).