Africa’s Cybercrime Crisis Worsens as Scam Cases Spike 3,000% Across Key Countries

Africa’s cybercrime crisis worsens as scam cases spike, with new data showing a dramatic surge in online scams and other digital crimes across the continent. According to INTERPOL’s Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2025, suspected scam notifications have surged by nearly 3,000% in some African countries, a record-breaking increase that highlights how rapidly cyberthreats are growing and evolving in the region. This spike in scam cases is undermining Africa’s digital transformation, making it harder for people and businesses to trust and benefit from new technologies.

The report points to four main types of cybercrime now dominating Africa’s digital landscape: online scams, ransomware attacks, business email compromise (BEC), and digital sextortion. Online scams, especially phishing, are the most common. In countries like Zambia, Egypt, and Kenya, scam cases have spiked 3,000% across key countries, with criminals using artificial intelligence to craft fake emails and impersonate trusted brands. These scams are getting harder to spot, and phishing alone makes up over a third of all cyber incidents reported in Africa.

Romance scams are also on the rise, particularly in West Africa. Criminals use social media and dating apps to trick people into sending money or investing in fake cryptocurrency schemes. The emotional and financial damage from these scams is likely much higher than what is reported, as many victims feel too embarrassed or afraid to come forward.

Ransomware attacks are another growing problem. South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya have been hit the hardest, with hospitals, telecom companies, government agencies, and utilities all targeted. In one high-profile case, South Africa’s Department of Defence lost 1.6 terabytes of sensitive data to hackers, while Telecom Namibia had over 492,000 files breached. These attacks can disrupt essential services and put private information at risk.

Business email compromise is thriving, too. In these scams, attackers break into company email systems and trick employees into transferring money. With the help of AI and deepfake technology, scammers can now impersonate company executives more convincingly than ever before, making it even easier to fool their targets. Globally, BEC scams have caused billions of dollars in losses, and Africa’s share is growing fast.

Digital sextortion is another serious threat, fueled by AI-generated explicit content and organized crime. INTERPOL reports a sharp increase in sextortion cases, especially in Morocco, Egypt, and Mali. Victims, often young people, face not only financial loss but also emotional distress and reputational harm.

Despite these challenges, Africa’s ability to fight cybercrime is still developing. Many countries lack strong laws, enough resources, or proper cooperation across borders. Law enforcement agencies often don’t have the tools or training needed to keep up with increasingly complex cyberthreats. While there have been some successes, like joint operations and partnerships with cybersecurity companies, much more needs to be done.

INTERPOL’s report urges African nations to work closely with businesses, invest in digital literacy for everyone, and build stronger international partnerships. Only by working together can Africa hope to secure its digital future and stop the trend as Africa’s cybercrime crisis worsens and scam cases spike 3,000% across key countries.

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