More Than 40% of South Africans Were Scammed in 2025

More Than 40% of South Africans Were Scammed in 2025

Summary

The Global Anti-Scam Alliance’s (GASA) research shows South Africa was hit extremely hard by scams in the 12 months leading up to early 2025. In a nationally representative sample, 77% of respondents reported being targeted by a scam and 42% said they lost money. The average reported loss per victim was around $130 (R2,563.90), and extrapolation suggests roughly 17.5 million South African adults were scammed, with total estimated losses near $2.3 billion in a year.

Scammers are pursuing volume and low friction rather than high-value targets: South Africans faced an average of 258 scam attempts per person annually (about one every 36 hours). Reporting rates and recovery are low — only around 21% of victims saw any money returned — and GASA argues that fragmented, national law-enforcement responses are ineffective against transnational, automated scam networks.

Key Points

• 77% of South African respondents encountered a scam during the 12 months surveyed; 42% lost money.
• Average loss per victim in South Africa was about $130 (R2,563.90), lower than in many wealthier countries but widespread.
• GASA estimates ~17.5 million South African adults were scammed, resulting in roughly $2.3 billion in losses over 12 months.
• Average number of scam attempts per person in South Africa: 258 per year — roughly one attempt every 36 hours.
• Reporting is low and recoveries rarer still: only about 21% of reported victims in South Africa saw some money returned.
• Scammers prioritise scale and low friction; weaker detection, lower consumer awareness and inconsistent enforcement make certain markets more attractive.
• GASA recommends coordinated, cross-border disruption focused on following funds and seizing assets rather than only high-profile raids.

Content Summary

GASA’s Global State of Scams 2025 and a South Africa-focused breakdown reveal a large-scale, high-frequency scam problem in South Africa. While individual losses are smaller than in richer markets, the sheer volume of successful scams creates significant aggregate harm. Most victims attempt at least one check before engaging but still fall victim, often multiple times. Payment providers receive many reports, but law enforcement receives fewer and returns are limited. Experts argue that enforcement must shift from isolated raids to coordinated financial disruption to make a lasting impact.

Context and Relevance

This matters because digital adoption and mobile payments are growing across Africa, making the region an attractive target for automated, volume-driven fraud. For policymakers, fintech firms, payment processors and consumer-protection groups, the report signals urgent needs: better fraud detection, stronger consumer education, simpler reporting routes and international co‑operation to block money flows. Businesses operating or expanding into South Africa must factor scam risk into customer support, fraud teams and compliance planning.

Author’s take (punchy)

These figures are not just alarming — they’re systemic. Low per-victim losses hide a vast, industrialised fraud economy that extracts billions through sheer scale. If enforcement keeps acting in isolated national silos, the scam business model will keep migrating and thriving. Read the detail if you care about where digital crime is actually profiting and what would meaningfully disrupt it.

Why should I read this?

Because if you use online banking, mobile apps or payment services in South Africa (or serve customers there), this affects you — big time. The piece boils down the numbers, shows why scams keep working, and points to what actually needs fixing. Short version: scammers are playing the volume game and the usual responses aren’t cutting it. Worth a skim, and a deeper read if you’re responsible for payments, fraud or consumer safety.

Source

Source: https://www.darkreading.com/cybersecurity-analytics/south-africans-scammed-2025