Cybersmart Botswana Programme Coordinator and Cyberpsychologist David Moepeng has sounded alarm over the rising cases of cybercrime in the country, warning that the majority of scams now begin with something as simple as a phone call.
Speaking during the Twantsho Botsotsi Cybercrime Awareness Roadshow this Wednesday in Maun, Moepeng explained that fraudsters often impersonate well-known service providers such as Mascom, Orange, or even banks to trick unsuspecting individuals into revealing personal information.
“These scammers call pretending you’ve won something or that your bank account needs verification. Once they have your details, your money is gone,” he said.
Moepeng revealed that pensioners are among the most frequent successfully exploited targets, as scammers exploit their trust and limited digital awareness. Many victims, he added, lose large sums of money but fail to report the incidents to the police due to embarrassment or fear of stigma.
“People hide their losses from both family and law enforcement, which not only hinders investigations but also affects their mental well-being,” he explained.
He further noted that social media has become a major hunting ground for cybercriminals, who use publicly shared information to manipulate or blackmail victims. “Con artists often play on people’s greed, making it look like the victim stands to benefit more than the scammer. But ultimately, everyone is at risk, regardless of age, gender, or education level,” Moepeng cautioned.
Moepeng’s warning comes amid alarming findings from the INTERPOL Africa Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2025, which revealed that Africa has lost over USD 3 billion to cybercrime between 2019 and 2025. The report highlights a sharp rise in online scams, digital sextortion, and romance fraud, with victims across the continent falling prey to increasingly sophisticated networks.
Botswana, though considered one of Southern Africa’s most digitally advanced nations, has not been spared. According to Kaspersky data cited in the report, the country recorded a 133% increase in scam-related notifications between 2023 and 2024. While government and private institutions have strengthened cybersecurity measures and public education efforts, the report warns that individuals remain the “weakest link.”
Across the continent, West Africa is identified as the hub of organized cybercrime, particularly romance scams and sextortion rings led by groups such as Black Axe. North Africa faces a surge in AI-enhanced image abuse, while East Africa grapples with mobile-based fraud targeting students and professionals. In Southern Africa, which includes Botswana, fraudsters increasingly use deepfake technology and synthetic voice cloning to carry out “vishing” scams’ convincing victims to disclose sensitive information over the phone.
INTERPOL also reports that over 60% of African nations have seen a rise in sextortion cases, many leading to severe psychological consequences for victims. Meanwhile, older adults and retirees remain the primary targets for romance scams, which often result in devastating financial losses and emotional trauma.
Despite these challenges, Botswana continues to make strides in cybersecurity resilience. The report commends the country for participating in regional initiatives such as the Africa Joint Operation Against Cybercrime (AFJOC) and for its ongoing public awareness campaigns. However, it stresses the need for more specialized investigators, improved access to digital forensic tools, and AI-driven monitoring systems to detect emerging threats.
As Botswana accelerates its digital transformation through e-government platforms and the SmartBots Strategy, experts warn that cybersecurity must remain a top priority.
“Technology should empower, not exploit,” Moepeng emphasised, urging citizens to stay vigilant, question suspicious messages or calls, and report cyber incidents promptly.
The Twantsho Botsotsi campaign, run in partnership with BOFINET, BOCRA, and the Ministry of Communications and Innovation—is part of this year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The nationwide roadshow aims to educate communities through Kgotla meetings about the growing threat of online crime and how to stay safe in the digital world.
