🚨 Critical Warnings

• Scammers now use AI to clone voices from your social media
• Over 28.8 million South Africans use WhatsApp daily
• One victim lost R6 million to AI-powered scams in 2025
• WhatsApp NEVER asks for your verification code
• Voice notes can be recorded and used against you

🚨 AI Deepfake Voice Scams (NEW 2025)

This is the MOST DANGEROUS new scam. Criminals use AI to copy your voice. They create fake voice notes that sound exactly like you.

How Voice Cloning Works

Scammers need only a few seconds of your voice. They get it from:

• WhatsApp voice notes you send
• Videos you post on Facebook or Instagram
• TikTok videos with your voice
• YouTube videos where you speak
• Voice messages in family groups

AI tools can copy your tone, accent, and speech patterns. The fake voice sounds EXACTLY like you. Even your family cannot tell the difference.

Common Voice Clone Scams

1. “Mom/Dad In Trouble” Scam

You get a voice note. It sounds like your child. They say “Mom I’m in trouble. I need R2,000 urgently. My phone broke. Sending from a friend’s number. Please send to this account.”

The voice is AI-generated. It’s not your child. The scammer stole their voice from social media videos.

2. “Boss Needs Payment” Scam

A voice note arrives. It sounds like your boss or CEO. “I need you to make an urgent payment. Here are the banking details. Do it now. I’m in a meeting.”

In Hong Kong, scammers used a deepfake CEO video. An employee transferred $25 million (R450 million). The video looked and sounded real.

3. “Bank Official” Scam

SABRIC warned about this in March 2025. A South African lost R6 million. Scammers used AI to sound like bank employees. They convinced the victim to “invest” through a fake banking app.

How to Spot Fake Voice Notes

• AI voices lack natural emotion and breathing
• Pauses sound robotic or too perfect
• Background noise might be completely missing
• The person sounds urgent but won’t video call
• They claim their phone is broken but send voice notes

🚨 Verification Code Hijacking Scam

This scam is SURGING in South Africa in 2025. Over 28.8 million South Africans use WhatsApp. Scammers steal accounts every day using this trick.

How the Scam Works (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Scammer gets your phone number from public WhatsApp groups or data breaches

Step 2: Scammer tries to log into WhatsApp using your number on their phone

Step 3: YOU receive a REAL WhatsApp SMS with a 6-digit code

Step 4: Scammer contacts you IMMEDIATELY pretending to be:

• A friend who “sent the code by mistake”
• WhatsApp Support Team (fake!)
• Someone offering you a job or competition prize
• A delivery service needing to “verify your number”

Step 5: They ask you to send them “that code you just received”

Step 6: If you send the code, they log into YOUR WhatsApp account. You get kicked out within minutes.

What Happens After They Hijack Your Account

• They access ALL your chats, photos, and contacts
• They message your contacts asking for money
• They pretend YOU are in an emergency
• They forward the scam to steal more accounts
• They enable Two-Step Verification with THEIR PIN
• They lock you out permanently

The Waegy Scam (New July 2025)

A new scam called “Waegy” promises “extra income” through WhatsApp tasks. The website (waegy.com) was registered in May 2025. It is NOT registered with CIPC.

They ask for your email and WhatsApp number. They harvest your data. They use it for account hijacking and further scams. DO NOT register with Waegy or any “WhatsApp earning” platforms.

🚨 Family Emergency Scams

Also called “Hi Mom” or “Hi Dad” scams. Criminals pretend to be your child, parent, or close family member. They create fake emergencies to get money fast.

Common Emergency Stories

1. “My Phone Broke” Story

“Hi Mom, my phone broke. This is my new number. I’m in trouble and need R3,000 urgently. Please send to this account. Will explain later.”

2. “Car Accident” Story

“Dad I had an accident. The other driver wants cash now or he’ll call police. Need R5,000 immediately. I’m scared.”

3. “Hospital Emergency” Story

“Mom I’m in hospital. They won’t treat me without deposit. Need R2,000 right now. Please hurry.”

4. “Banking App Blocked” Story

This happens AFTER they hijack your account. They message YOUR contacts: “My banking app is blocked. Please send R500 to this account. Will pay you back tomorrow.”

Warning Signs of Fake Emergency

• Message comes from unknown number
• They say phone is broken but can still WhatsApp
• They refuse to make a voice or video call
• They create huge time pressure (“RIGHT NOW!”)
• They give banking details immediately
• The story doesn’t quite make sense
• Profile picture is stolen from real person’s account

Remember: Real family members understand you need to verify. Scammers get angry when you ask questions. This anger is a RED FLAG.

⚠️ Job Offer & Work From Home Scams

Scammers target unemployed South Africans with fake job offers. South Africa’s unemployment is high. People are desperate. Scammers exploit this.

Common Fake Job Scams

1. “WhatsApp Task Worker” Scam

• “Earn R500 per day rating products on WhatsApp”
• “Work from home clicking links and sharing posts”
• “Easy money just using your phone”

They ask for registration fees (R200-R500). They steal your WhatsApp number and email. You never get paid. Waegy is one example of this scam.

2. “Recruitment Agency” Scam

• “We have a job for you at Pick n Pay/Shoprite”
• “Pay R500 for uniform and training materials”
• “Interview fee of R300 required”

Real companies NEVER charge job application fees. Real recruiters don’t contact you on WhatsApp first.

3. “Data Capturer” Scam

• “Earn R3,000 per week capturing data”
• “Just need to pay R450 for software license”
• “Training starts once payment received”

After you pay, they disappear. The job never existed.

Red Flags for Fake Jobs

• They contact you randomly (you never applied)
• They ask for money upfront for ANY reason
• Job pays “too good” for simple tasks
• No physical address or registered company
• Interview happens only on WhatsApp
• They pressure you to “act fast before position fills”
• Company name not on CIPC database

🚨 Investment & Bitcoin Scams

FSCA warned about deepfake videos in April 2025. Scammers use AI to make fake videos of FSCA Commissioner and President Ramaphosa promoting fake investments.

Common Investment Scams on WhatsApp

1. “AI Trading Platform” Scam

Fake deepfake videos show FSCA officials promoting “NBSG Securities” or “Nedbank Securities”. They promise 20-30% returns. Both FSCA and Nedbank confirm these are SCAMS.

2. “Bitcoin/Forex Trading Group” Scam

• You get added to WhatsApp investment group
• Fake “success stories” from group members
• AI-generated charts showing profits
• They ask you to download a trading app
• The app steals your banking details

3. “Standard Bank Investment” Scam

Standard Bank warned about “SBG SI Trader” app in 2025. Fake WhatsApp groups promoted it. The app had Standard Bank logos. It was FAKE. It stole money and data.

4. “JSE Investment Broker” Scam

One victim lost R6 million. Scammers posed as bank employees. They used AI chatbots and deepfake voices. They created a fake JSE investment platform.

How These Scams Work

• You see convincing deepfake videos of celebrities/officials
• WhatsApp groups look professional with fake testimonials
• AI generates realistic profit charts
• You can “withdraw” small amounts at first (to build trust)
• They encourage you to invest MORE money
• Suddenly the app stops working
• Your money is GONE forever

CRITICAL: Check FSCA website (fsca.co.za) to verify ANY investment company. Legitimate companies are registered. Scam companies are NOT.

⚠️ Silent Calls & Voice Harvesting

Andrew Bourne from Zoho Corporation warned South Africans in October 2025. Criminals are stealing voices through silent calls. They use these recordings to create deepfake audio.

How Voice Harvesting Works

Step 1: You answer a call. Nobody speaks.

Step 2: You say “Hello? Hello? Who is this?” repeatedly.

Step 3: Scammer records your voice saying different words.

Step 4: AI software uses this to build a voice model of YOU.

With enough samples, scammers create voice clones. These clones can say ANYTHING in your voice. They use it to:

• Trick your family into sending money
• Bypass voice biometric banking security
• Create fake emergency voice notes
• Impersonate you to your employer

Other Voice Collection Methods

• Recording WhatsApp voice notes you send in groups
• Stealing videos from your Facebook/Instagram/TikTok
• Recording you during fake “customer service” calls
• Hacking WhatsApp to access your voice messages
• Using publicly available videos (YouTube, LinkedIn)

Important: Some banks use voice biometrics for security. If criminals have your voice clone, they might bypass this. Always use additional security methods (PIN, password, OTP).

✅ How to Protect Yourself From WhatsApp Scams

Essential WhatsApp Security Settings

1. Enable Two-Step Verification (MOST IMPORTANT)

Steps:

• Open WhatsApp
• Go to Settings → Account → Two-step verification
• Tap “Turn On”
• Create a 6-digit PIN (make it unique, not your birthday)
• Add your email address for recovery

This blocks hijackers even if they get your verification code.

2. Enable Screen Lock

• Settings → Privacy → Screen Lock
• Enable fingerprint or face recognition
• Set lock time to 1 minute

3. Check Linked Devices Regularly

• Settings → Linked Devices
• Check if unknown devices are connected
• Log out any device you don’t recognize
• Do this check weekly

4. Privacy Settings

• Settings → Privacy → Profile Photo → My Contacts
• Settings → Privacy → About → My Contacts
• Settings → Privacy → Status → My Contacts
• Settings → Privacy → Groups → My Contacts

This stops scammers from seeing your photo and adding you to scam groups.

NEVER Do These Things

• ❌ NEVER share your 6-digit verification code with ANYONE
• ❌ NEVER download apps from WhatsApp links
• ❌ NEVER send money based on voice notes alone
• ❌ NEVER join investment groups from strangers
• ❌ NEVER pay upfront fees for jobs
• ❌ NEVER click suspicious links (even from friends)
• ❌ NEVER answer silent calls by saying “hello” repeatedly
• ❌ NEVER use public WiFi for WhatsApp banking discussions

ALWAYS Do These Things

• ✅ ALWAYS verify emergency requests by calling back
• ✅ ALWAYS check company registration on CIPC website
• ✅ ALWAYS verify investments on FSCA website
• ✅ ALWAYS download apps only from Google Play or App Store
• ✅ ALWAYS use video calls to verify identity
• ✅ ALWAYS ask personal questions before sending money
• ✅ ALWAYS report scams to your bank and SABRIC
• ✅ ALWAYS update WhatsApp to the latest version

🚨 What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

If Your WhatsApp Was Hijacked

IMMEDIATELY:

• Try to log back into WhatsApp with your number
• You’ll get a new 6-digit code – use it to log in
• This kicks out the scammer
• Enable Two-Step Verification RIGHT NOW
• Check Settings → Linked Devices – log out unknown devices
• Change your WhatsApp profile PIN

THEN:

• Send a message to ALL contacts: “My account was hacked. Do NOT send money to anyone claiming to be me.”
• Contact your mobile provider (MTN, Vodacom, etc.) to check for SIM swap attempts
• Report to WhatsApp: support@whatsapp.com
• Report to SABRIC (see contact details below)

If You Sent Money to Scammers

Within 24 Hours:

• Call your bank IMMEDIATELY (number on back of card)
• Report the fraudulent transaction
• Request transaction reversal (sometimes possible within hours)
• Ask to block the recipient account
• Get a reference number for your fraud report

After 24 Hours:

Money is usually gone. Banks rarely reverse after 24 hours. But still report it – helps track scammers.

If You Downloaded a Scam App

• Delete the app immediately
• Run antivirus scan on your phone
• Change ALL your passwords (email, banking, social media)
• Call your bank to monitor for suspicious activity
• Check bank statements daily for unauthorized transactions
• Consider factory reset of phone (backup contacts first)

If You Shared Personal Information

• Change passwords for all accounts
• Enable two-factor authentication everywhere
• Monitor your credit report (TransUnion, Experian)
• Report identity theft to SABRIC
• Alert your bank about potential fraud
• Watch for follow-up scams (they might try again)

Where to Report WhatsApp Scams

South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC)

• Website: www.sabric.co.za
• Report fraud online through their website
• They track scam patterns and warn consumers

South African Police Service (SAPS)

• Phone: 10111 (emergency) or 0860 010 111
• Visit your nearest police station
• Open a case of fraud
• Get a case number for insurance/bank claims

Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)

• Phone: 0800 110 443
• Email: info@fsca.co.za
• Website: www.fsca.co.za
• Report investment scams and fake financial services

Your Bank’s Fraud Department

• Capitec: 0860 102 043
• FNB: 087 575 9405
• Standard Bank: 0860 123 000
• ABSA: 0860 557 557
• Nedbank: 0860 555 111

WhatsApp Support

• Email: support@whatsapp.com
• In-app: Settings → Help → Contact Us
• Report account hijacking and scam numbers

Consumer Goods & Services Ombud

• Phone: 0860 000 272
• Email: info@cgso.org.za
• For service-related scams

Warn Others

Share your experience in community WhatsApp groups. Post on social media. Warn friends and family. Your story could save someone else from losing money.

⚠️ Real Numbers: How Big Is the Problem?

• 28.8 million South Africans use WhatsApp (2025)
• R6 million lost by one victim to AI banking scam (March 2025)
• R450 million stolen in Hong Kong CEO deepfake scam ($25 million)
• 100,000+ WhatsApp account hijacking attempts reported monthly
• Millions of Rands lost to WhatsApp scams quarterly
• Over 50 years old are most targeted by family emergency scams

These are just reported cases. Many victims never report. The real numbers are much higher.

The #1 Rule: NEVER share your 6-digit WhatsApp verification code. WhatsApp will NEVER ask for it. Anyone asking for it is a SCAMMER.

Enable Two-Step Verification TODAY: It takes 2 minutes. Go to WhatsApp Settings → Account → Two-step verification → Turn On. This one step stops most hijacking attempts.

Trust Your Instincts: If something feels wrong, it probably is. Scammers create urgency and pressure. Real emergencies can wait 5 minutes for verification.

Verify EVERYTHING: Call back on known numbers. Use video calls. Ask personal questions. Check company registrations. Never send money based on messages alone.

Share This Information: Forward this guide to family and friends. Post in community groups. The more people know about these scams, the harder it becomes for criminals to succeed.