Online Fraud Surges Globally: Hot Sale Scams, 1,142 Fake Police Jobs, PennDOT and Sassa Card Schemes Reported
Cybercrime and online fraud are rising globally, with reports of increased scams targeting consumers through digital channels. During special shopping events such as Hot Sale, which runs from May 26 to June 3, attempts at fraud can increase by up to 80%, reaching approximately 1,080 attempts per minute. Common tactics include fake websites, phishing messages, malicious QR codes, and impersonation of legitimate institutions to steal personal and financial data.
In Mexico, authorities have warned that the most frequent forms of fraud during Hot Sale involve fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent bank notifications. Recommendations include accessing only official websites, verifying URLs, avoiding suspicious links or QR codes, and not sharing personal or banking information through unverified channels. Companies such as Mercado Libre and Amazon have acted to remove fraudulent sites imitating their brands.
In Colombia, a courier using the Picap app was defrauded through a scheme involving fake medical staff, video calls, and identity documents, resulting in a loss of nearly 400,000 pesos. In Brazil, scammers created a fake website imitating the Federal Police's recruitment process, advertising 1,142 non-existent jobs and charging a R$90 fee via PIX. The fraudulent site collects personal data and threatens victims with consequences if payment is not made.
In South Africa, Postbank has warned South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) beneficiaries about fraudsters impersonating bank officials, sometimes in branded clothing, to obtain cards and PINs. Sassa gold cards have been specifically targeted. Postbank has stated it will never ask for PINs or conduct unsolicited home visits.
In the United States, text messages in Pennsylvania claiming to be from PennDOT threaten drivers with penalties unless fines are paid. PennDOT clarified it does not send such messages, which may affect vehicle registration, and advises recipients to ignore and report them.
Globally, Mastercard has detected and prevented over 100 million pounds in online fraud and estimates that losses from e-commerce fraud could reach $91.4 billion worldwide. Cybercrime is estimated to cost nearly $600 billion globally, with 269 million card records leaked in 2024. Over 66 million scam links have been identified as threats to Africa's digital safety in 2025.
Experts recommend measures such as using virtual cards, enabling two-factor authentication, keeping software updated, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities. In Chile, 51% of people have reported attempted online fraud.
Written with ChatGPT (GPT-4).
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