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The growing menace of cyber fraud and scamming

What you need to know:

  • This growing challenge demands immediate attention and sustained effort from all stakeholders to ensure a safer digital future for Uganda, East Africa, and the global community.

In today's digital landscape, cyber fraud and scamming have emerged as significant threats to individuals, businesses, and governments worldwide, with Uganda and East Africa experiencing particularly concerning trends. As Internet penetration increases, with more than 12 million Ugandans now online and growing by 15 percent annually, cybercriminal activities have surged correspondingly.

The scale of the problem is evident in Uganda Police's 2022 Annual Crime Report, which documented more than 1,500 cyber fraud cases, marking a 25 percent increase from the previous year. The impact extends throughout East Africa, where cybercrime inflicted approximately $400m in damages, according to Serianu, a prominent African cybersecurity firm. Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have been particularly affected due to weak cybersecurity infrastructure and limited public awareness.

Social media platforms have become primary vectors for cyber fraud. Criminals exploit WhatsApp, X (formally Twitter), and Facebook to distribute phishing links and impersonate legitimate institutions. Through social engineering tactics, fraudsters pose as bank officials or government representatives to create artificial urgency and extract sensitive information from victims. A 2023 Kaspersky study revealed that 40 percent of African Internet users had encountered phishing scams on social media platforms. The threat extends beyond simple scams to sophisticated hacking operations. Cybercriminals employ malware and ransomware to breach systems, causing substantial financial damage. A notable example occurred in 2021 when a major Ugandan bank suffered millions in losses due to a hacking incident. Globally, cybercrime costs have escalated to over $6 trillion annually, with hackers operating in well-organised networks that share tools and expertise.

The global scope of this challenge is reflected in FBI statistics, with their Internet Crime Complaint Center receiving more than 800,000 complaints in 2022, resulting in losses exceeding $10b. While wealthy nations are often primary targets, developing countries remain vulnerable to various schemes, from romance fraud to ransomware attacks.

Addressing this growing threat requires a multi-faceted approach. Governments must implement and enforce stronger cybersecurity regulations while investing in advanced detection technologies and international cooperation. Individual vigilance is equally crucial, with basic precautions playing a vital role in prevention. These include verifying links before clicking, using strong unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and maintaining updated devices. Public awareness and education are essential components of cyber defense, particularly in East Africa where knowledge gaps create vulnerabilities. Digital literacy initiatives can help demystify common scams and reduce successful attacks. Cybersecurity expert Dr Bright Gameli notes: "Cybercriminals operate like businesses—they are organised and relentless."

The path forward requires collective action from governments, organizations, and individuals to create a more secure digital environment. Through increased awareness, proactive measures, and shared responsibility, communities can better protect themselves against the evolving threat of cyber fraud. As technology continues to advance, maintaining strong cybersecurity practices becomes increasingly critical for safeguarding digital assets and personal information.

This growing challenge demands immediate attention and sustained effort from all stakeholders to ensure a safer digital future for Uganda, East Africa, and the global community.

Dean Natukunda,