A new anti-fraud initiative called Scam Signal has been launched in South Africa as part of an expanded effort to curb authorised push payment (APP) fraud and strengthen the country’s defences against rising financial crime.
The rollout follows South Africa’s experience with growing fraud losses. Last year, fraud across the country resulted in financial losses approaching three billion rand, underscoring the severity of scams that target everyday consumers and businesses. APP fraud, where victims are tricked into authorising payments to accounts controlled by criminals, has been a major driver of these losses.
Scam Signal, a technology-driven platform developed through cross-industry collaboration, aims to provide real-time intelligence and protection by identifying scam patterns, flagging suspicious accounts and alerting banks and mobile operators before fraudulent transfers are completed.
South Africa becomes the second country to adopt Scam Signal after its successful deployment in the United Kingdom, where the platform has helped reduce losses from scam-related payments by enabling faster detection and response.
Industry stakeholders from the mobile, banking and technology sectors worked together to bring the system to South Africa, reflecting a shared commitment to address financial crime through coordinated action. The initiative also involves partnerships with law enforcement and regulatory bodies to enhance reporting, investigation and response protocols.
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Representatives from participating banks said Scam Signal will integrate with existing fraud monitoring systems to improve predictive insights and block scam payments more effectively. Mobile network operators and payment service providers are also preparing to incorporate Scam Signal feeds into their security layers, helping protect users across digital channels.
Experts say that the launch of Scam Signal in South Africa could not come at a more critical time, as fraud schemes continue to evolve in sophistication alongside the rapid adoption of digital banking and mobile money services. Victims of APP fraud often face long delays in recovery, and traditional detection mechanisms have struggled to keep pace with newer scam tactics.
By enabling quicker cross-sector sharing of scam intelligence, Scam Signal is expected to reduce the volume and impact of fraudulent transactions and build greater trust in digital financial services.
The deployment also forms part of broader efforts to modernise South Africa’s financial crime infrastructure, including improvements in data analytics, customer authentication standards and public awareness campaigns aimed at helping consumers recognise and avoid common scam tactics.
Officials said ongoing monitoring and evaluation will help tailor the platform to local risk patterns and ensure it remains effective against emerging threats.
