Phishing Attacks: Cybercriminals in Africa engage in phishing attacks, where they send fraudulent emails or messages disguised as legitimate organizations to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information such as passwords, credit card details, or personal information.
Advance Fee Fraud (419 Scams): Africa has been associated with "419 scams," named after the Nigerian Criminal Code that deals with fraud. These scams typically involve promising large sums of money in exchange for upfront fees or personal banking information.
Business Email Compromise (BEC): BEC scams involve compromising business email accounts to deceive employees into making fraudulent payments or transferring funds to cybercriminal-controlled accounts. This type of scam is prevalent in Africa, targeting both local and international businesses.
Romance Scams: Romance scams are prevalent across the continent, where cybercriminals create fake profiles on dating websites or social media platforms to establish fake relationships and exploit victims emotionally and financially.
Fake Online Marketplaces: Cybercriminals in Africa set up fraudulent online marketplaces, selling counterfeit products or collecting payments for goods that are never delivered. These scams exploit unsuspecting buyers looking for deals or unique items.
Investment and Ponzi Schemes: Africa has witnessed various investment scams, where fraudsters promise high returns on investments but eventually disappear with the funds. Ponzi schemes, which rely on new investors' money to pay previous investors, are also prevalent in the region.
Malware Attacks: Cybercriminals deploy malware, such as ransomware or keyloggers, to compromise computers and steal sensitive information or hold it hostage for financial gain. These attacks can occur through infected email attachments, malicious websites, or compromised software.
SIM Card Swapping: In SIM card swapping scams, criminals fraudulently obtain control of a victim's mobile phone number, often by tricking the victim's mobile service provider. They then use the hijacked number to gain unauthorized access to the victim's accounts and conduct fraudulent transactions.
Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams: Fraudsters target individuals in Africa with fake lottery or sweepstakes notifications, informing them that they have won a large sum of money. The scammers then request payment of taxes or fees to release the supposed winnings.
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