Law Enforcement Impersonation Bank-Related Scams in South Africa: Perceived Vulnerability and Mitigative Strategies

Bank scams involving the impersonation of law enforcement personnel and financial service providers continue to proliferate across South Africa, leading to substantial economic loss and psychological harm to certain individuals in the country. The persistence of this cyber-enabled fraud indicates a significant lacuna in understanding the systemic vulnerabilities that perpetrators exploit. Specifically, there is a pressing need to examine why these scams remain successful despite existing security measures, identify the key parameters that influence individuals’ susceptibility to deception, and assess the adequacy of current preventive measures. This study navigates these notable concerns using an exploratory case study qualitative research design. Through a non-probabilistic sampling strategy, seven participants were identified to engage in discourse and contributed insights into the subject matter. A nuanced analysis identified an effective monitoring system, heightened public awareness, and stringent penalties as mitigative strategies. Subsequent studies may examine the resultant strategies broadly for wider application.