Namibians are being warned to approach every unexpected digital communication with suspicion as cyber-security specialists report that artificial intelligence is being used to make scams more convincing and difficult to detect. Experts Rigo Reddig and Lian Aldrich advise people to slow down, question unexpected requests, and verify information before sharing personal details or sending money. With AI, scammers can now construct a convincing personality around a false identity, making it harder for victims to identify the scam.
Romance scams remain a significant threat, with scammers using AI to create a false identity and gain the trust of their victims. Reddig, head of information security at Grant Thornton Neuhaus, said that scammers might create excuses to prevent victims from meeting them in person while gradually asking for money. He advises people to conduct reverse image searches of profile pictures and use AI detection programs for images. AI-generated content has a unique "fingerprint" that can be detected, making it easier to identify fake profiles.
Scammers in Namibia are increasingly using calls tailored to specific targets, with AI-generated voice calls adding another layer of risk. Criminals are also becoming adept at persuading people to use USSD codes to make payments without realizing they are authorizing a transaction. Reddig said that scammers have a script for every scenario and are good at persuading people that they are not making a payment. This makes it essential for people to be cautious when receiving unexpected calls or messages.
According to Aldrich, co-founder of Aphotic Security, the safest approach is to regard every message as fraudulent until proven otherwise. He advises people to assume that literally every message is scamming them and to verify information independently rather than replying through the email address, number, or link used in the suspicious communication. This approach is known as a "zero-trust" approach, where communications are distrusted by default rather than trusted until a warning sign appears.
Aldrich urges people to imagine "the most evil person in the world" when assessing a message, call, or request. The first question should be: "What do they want?" A message may be completely harmless, or it may be an attempt to provoke a particular response or extract information. When someone asks for information, Aldrich advises people to reframe the request as though it came from a malicious actor and reassess whether any of the requested information could be used against them.
Verifying requests independently is crucial, and experts emphasize the importance of using independently sourced contact details, such as calling a known number, visiting an official website directly, or speaking to someone in person. Aldrich cautions against relying on several apparent confirmations if they all originate from the same compromised source. Instead, people should seek independent confirmation rather than simply collecting more messages from the same channel.
The experts' advice is to pause before responding, assume a message may be deceptive, ask what the sender stands to gain, and verify independently before sharing information, entering a USSD code, or sending money. Reddig warned that scammers are smart and that new technology is enabling them to scale their operations. By being cautious and taking the time to verify information, Namibians can protect themselves from these increasingly sophisticated scams.
Key points
- Namibians are being warned to approach every unexpected digital communication with suspicion as cyber-security specialists report that artificial intelligence is being used to make scams more convincing and difficult to detect.
- Experts advise people to slow down, question unexpected requests, and verify information before sharing personal details or sending money.
- Verifying requests independently is crucial, and experts emphasize the importance of using independently sourced contact details.
