As South Africans gear up for the annual Black Friday shopping rush, fraudsters are doing the same, only with far more deceptive intentions. As online traffic and digital transactions are expected to increase dramatically, consumers must remain vigilant against the various scams that take place during this high-spending period. From the likes of fake e-commerce websites and phishing emails to deposit scams and social media fraud, cybercriminals are utilising sophisticated tactics to exploit shoppers chasing limited-time deals.
According to the South African Banking Risk Centre’s Annual Crime Statistics report, card-not-present (CNP) fraud – where transactions occur online without a physical card – rose by as much as 19% in 2023, with South Africans losing an estimated R338.5 million that year. Credit card holders bore the brunt of the damage, accounting for over 80% of losses. Digital banking fraud also climbed sharply, increasing by 45%, and financial losses up 47%. Here, banking apps were the most targeted, and represent as much as 60% of digital banking crimes. Fraudsters have also been quick to exploit social media platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, where fake products are advertised at steep discounts, only for sellers to vanish once payments are made.
“High-traffic events like Black Friday create the perfect storm for criminals,” says George Papadimas, Executive: Sales at XDS, a division of Mettus. “Consumers get excited at the idea of a great discount and are often pressured by countdown timers to snag the deal. Shoppers often overlook basic security checks, which makes them an easy target. Fraudsters exploit this sense of urgency to trick consumers into paying for goods that don’t exist or reveal sensitive information.”
Scams have evolved drastically and have become harder to spot and even more convincing. Criminals are now using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to impersonate trusted individuals or company representatives and make fraudulent interactions appear authentic. They also clone official websites, use real brand logos, and spoof legitimate phone numbers to build credibility.
“We are seeing an increase in impersonation scams that mimic banks, retailers, and even government agencies,” adds Papadimas. “Some scammers even go as far as creating synthetic identities and combining real and fake personal data to open accounts or make transactions undetected.”
To mitigate this, consumers need to know the warning signs. Pressure to act immediately, requests for upfront payments via EFT or mobile wallets, are some of the red flags consumers should look out for. As a precaution, shoppers should type web addresses manually instead of clicking on links from social media ads or unsolicited emails, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on banking and shopping apps, and avoid using public Wi-Fi for online purchases.
“Fraud prevention starts with knowing what is out there and how to avoid falling for a scam,” explains Papadimas. “When people understand how scams work, they are less likely to fall for them. Awareness empowers consumers to question suspicious deals, verify payment requests, and use secure digital channels. It also helps them spread the word to family and friends, which strengthens our collective defence against cybercrime.”
Consumers should therefore only shop on trusted e-commerce platforms; verify platform contact details and customer reviews before purchasing; and regularly monitor their bank statements for unauthorised activity. If a scam is suspected, consumers must report it to their bank immediately, as well as the platform where it occurred and the South African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS), which tracks and helps prevent fraudulent behaviour across the financial ecosystem.
“Black Friday should be about great deals, not great losses. Before you click, pay, or share, pause for a moment and verify. A few seconds of caution could save you thousands of rand and keep your festive season truly worth celebrating,” concludes Papadimas.
