Standard Bank and Authorities Warn of AI-Driven Banking Scams, NFC Relay Fraud, Deepfakes, and False Job Offers

Authorities and financial institutions are warning about a surge in sophisticated social engineering scams targeting bank customers. The National Police and Standard Bank have highlighted tactics such as fraudsters gaining victims' trust over extended periods, impersonating bank staff using AI-generated cloned voices, fake emails, and deepfakes. These scams often involve fake banking notifications and fraudulent emails, including those disguised within Gmail, which have deceived thousands of users. Experts also caution about malicious Android applications capable of stealing bank account information through NFC relay fraud, call hijacking, and root exploits. Additionally, false job offers are increasingly being used as a method of digital fraud. Users are advised to be vigilant about suspicious communications and apps that could compromise their financial security.