Some scammers in South Africa are getting really good at fooling people with emails. They pretend to be your boss, a colleague, or a trusted supplier, and they almost sound like they’re real.

How they trick you

– They send fake invoices or payment requests and tell you to pay fast.

– They copy real invoices but slightly change the bank details. So you think you’re paying the right place, but the money goes to the scammer.

– They ask for login details or codes, or for private company info, by looking like a trustworthy person.

Why this is scary

– If you pay the wrong bank account, you may lose money and it’s hard to get it back.

– It can mess up work relationships and shake people’s trust in emails and invoices.

What you can do to stay safe

– Double-check: If something looks odd, stop and verify with the person or department in another way (phone call, separate email, or in person).

– Use a two-step check for payments: require two people to approve big payments, especially if bank details change.

– Be careful with links and attachments: hover to see where they really go, and don’t type in your password unless you’re sure it’s the right site.

– Keep an eye on invoices: watch for small changes in bank details or payment info.

– Train and remind everyone: short, simple tips help people spot tricks.

Bottom line: If it feels urgent or looks slightly off, pause, verify, and confirm through a trusted channel before sending money.