Crime

MBABANE – Interpol has issued a warning that romance scams and digital sextortion have become highly profitable forms of cybercrime, often causing significant emotional and financial harm.

Sextortion was described as the act of threatening to share nude or explicit images, and Interpol said cases affecting young children, teens and adults have increased exponentially in the past two years. Adult predators pretending to be young girls feign romantic interest in the boys on gaming platforms, apps and social media sites.

A teen responds to an online request to expose parts of their body on a webcam or sends a nude photo to a new online ‘friend.’ The next thing they know, their new friend threatens to expose them by publicising the photos - unless they pose for more explicit photos or send money. The romans scams are similar:  A criminal uses a fake online identity to gain a victim’s affection and trust. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim.

Addressing the Eswatini scenario, the Interpol paid tribute to the Ministry of Information Communication and Technology (ICT), in collaboration with Eswatini Communication Commission (ESCCOM) and UNESCO for conducting cybersecurity awareness sessions in schools. In a continent-wide law enforcement initiative targeting cybercrime and fraud networks, more than 1 200 suspects were arrested in Africa between June and August 2025.

In its Interpol Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2025 Internet warned African law enforcement regarding the surging threat of cybercrime, highlighting that pervasive phishing attacks, fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes and rising digital sextortion are causing significant financial and emotional damage across the continent.

The surge in online scams is closely linked to Africa’s accelerating digital transformation. Criminals capitalise on the growing online activity, particularly social media usage, digital commerce and mobile banking, to perpetrate widespread fraud. Data from INTERPOL African member countries indicate that victims are diverse, affecting individuals across all age groups, genders and professional backgrounds, proving that all demographics are at risk.

“Phishing continues to be Africa’s most prevalent cyberthreat in 2024, impacting both individuals and organisations. INTERPOL member countries have identified phishing as their leading cybersecurity concern due to its high frequency and extensive reach.” It says digital security reports say this tactic accounts for 34 per cent of all cyber incidents detected throughout Africa.

“Cybercriminals leverage phishing by impersonating trusted entities-via emails, messaging platforms or fraudulent websites-to trick individuals into providing sensitive information such as login credentials, financial data or personal identification details, facilitating unauthorised access and financial fraud across critical sectors like banking, government and telecommunications.”

It says romance scams have become highly profitable forms of cybercrime, often causing significant emotional and financial harm. The Interpol warning highlights West African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin, as areas where fraud networks are particularly active.

Full article available in our publication.

Interpol has issued a warning that romance scams and digital sextortion have become highly profitable forms of cybercrime, often causing significant emotional and financial harm. (Pic: Dark Reading)