Why is identity theft an increasing problem?
An Interpol report shows that South Africa tops Africa in cyber threats and is third in the world
Recently Africa Daily presenter Mpho Lakaje had a shock - he found he had been the victim of identity theft.
The person or people behind the crime had opened accounts using his personal details and taken out six loans to a total value of $2,000. It has so far been impossible for the local police to make arrests because everything happened online.
He's far from alone: the Southern African Fraud Prevention Services says reports of the crime increased by 356% in South Africa from 2022 to 2023 - and an Interpol report shows that South Africa tops Africa in cyber threats and is third in the world.
In today鈥檚 episode, Mpho makes a trip to the police station to sort out his now complicated affairs - and sits down with another identity theft victim Cisca. He also speaks to Chad Thomas of IRS Forensic Investigations.
So just how big a problem is impersonation fraud in Africa? And what can you do to protect yourself from cybercriminals?
Podcast
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Africa Daily
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