Get verified news and tips straight to WhatsApp — subscribe for free!

GUIDE: Scam trends to watch out for in 2026 and how to stay safe online 

💻 In 2025, Africa Check uncovered more than 20 online scams targeting Nigerians, from deepfakes and nonexistent government relief packages to cloned websites and Ponzi schemes. 

🔍 As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible, scammers are increasingly using AI-generated videos and edited images to impersonate trusted celebrities, business leaders and public officials, making their schemes more convincing and harder to detect. 

💴 With billions of naira lost to digital fraud in recent years, the risks range from stolen identities to devastating financial losses.

👓 In our latest guide, we break down the biggest scam trends to watch in 2026 and share practical steps you can take to protect your money and personal information. From spotting deepfakes to verifying legitimate platforms, here’s what you need to know to stay one step ahead.

A weekly guide to spotting, understanding and stopping viral misinformation

Frantic warning messages about scammers approaching strangers and asking for help with a smartphone are circulating online. But this is not how “AI biometric identity fraud” actually works.

The claim: Scammers secretly record a victim’s biometric details – identifying characteristics of a person, such as fingerprints and appearance – and then use these details to create a “digital clone”. This “clone” can supposedly be used later on to bypass the biometric security checks associated with digital banking.

The evidence (or lack thereof): There is no evidence that this particular method of fraud has become popular or is even in use. Similar forms of impersonation are possible but work very differently and don’t require physical interaction between scammers and victims.

The sliver of truth: Technology is increasingly able to mimic characteristics like someone’s voice or appearance. Impersonation scams often take the form of “urgent” messages or calls that ask for money or personal information. Even if you believe an urgent call is coming from a trusted family member, pause before sharing any sensitive information and make sure that you are talking to the real person.

More than just misinformation: Even if well-intentioned, these warnings misrepresent how biometric security and impersonation scams actually work. They also create unnecessary fear. 

The takeaway:

• Follow the best security practices recommended by your bank
• Be cautious about any unusual communication that supposedly comes from friends and family
• Don't share personal information with strangers on the internet or in person

From crime and scams to health and AI, we’ve fact-checked it all. Which topics sparked the most buzz — and how do they compare globally? Discover the trends in our monthly tracker.

In January, we fact-checked 100 claims circulating on social media. In South Africa, fake giveaways and job ads saw the spotlight, while false miracle cures came at a close second.

A similar pattern was observed on WhatsApp. Of the over 50 claims sent to our tip line, those on governance and service delivery led the pack. A claim about a new R1,682 family support grant was particularly popular. 

This was closely followed by scams, including links to a supposed Checkers giveaway, and health claims, such as a false cure for hypertension.

How does this relate to global trends?

Leading global market research firm Ipsos collects data trends on "what worries the world" for several countries, including South Africa.

It found that in January, South Africans worried most about unemployment, crime and violence, political corruption, and poverty and inequality.

The top concern - unemployment - continues to mirror the scams our readers report, particularly in the form of fake job ads. These are some of the most resilient scams, targeting both vulnerable and more guarded job seekers. 

Who checks the facts? "Behind the Facts" interviews the fact-checkers fighting misinformation.

A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, despite being widely shared.  

FALSE: An image circulating widely on South African social media in February 2026 appears to show the country’s defence minister, Angie Motshekga, walking with the assistance of two walking sticks. But the image has been manipulated using AI.

FALSE: Don’t believe social media posts claiming that drinking beetroot juice can kill cancer cells within 42 days. Cancer is a serious medical condition that requires diagnosis and treatment by trained healthcare professionals, not home remedies or dietary drinks.

SCAM: Posts circulating on Facebook claim that the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, or Prasa, is hiring general workers and for learnerships. But the posts are misleading. Prasa has not announced such recruitment, and the advert does not follow Prasa’s official hiring processes.

Kenya 🇰🇪

FALSE: Viral TikTok videos claim that president William Ruto was badly injured in a car accident in Nakuru in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. But the clips were generated using artificial intelligence tools and use fake news branding and old, unrelated footage. 

FALSE: Posts claiming the country’s top court declared Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment illegal and ordered him back to office are false. The court made a procedural ruling, not a reinstatement order.

FALSE: An image has been posted on social media with the claim that it shows George Kimutai Ruto, the son of president William Ruto, and his new high-end car worth millions of Kenyan shillings. However, the image is fake.

Nigeria 🇳🇬

FALSE: Facebook posts claim that John Mbata, leader of a prominent Igbo organisation, told Igbo youths 18 and older to arm themselves. But the quote is fabricated, a spokesperson said. 

FALSE: Facebook posts claim that Islamic cleric Sheikh Gumi urged the Kwara state government to adopt sharia law. However, there is no evidence for this. 

FALSE: According to a report circulating on Facebook, the name of Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, appears in the infamous Epstein files, which include reported evidence of child sex trafficking and other criminal activities. There is no evidence that Tinubu’s name is there.  

❓This week, we answer a question about education that you submitted through our Info Finder tool:

➡ #YouAsked: How many public high schools are there in Gauteng province?

📊 Department of Basic Education data from quarter three of 2025 lists 644 “currently open” ordinary (not special needs institutions) secondary (meaning high school, grades 8 to 12) public schools in the province.

❗ Another 27 were listed as ordinary combined public schools, meaning they offer both primary and high school level education.

Love this newsletter? Please take a moment to forward it to your friends or family, or they can subscribe here.

Thanks for reading!

Your weekly dose of facts in newsletter form is created by Laura Kapelari (@laurakapelari). It is edited by Lee Mwiti (@LMAfrican) and Cayley Clifford (@cayleyclifford).