Cybersecurity experts are warning South Africans about a rapidly growing form of digital fraud known as Remote Access Trojan RAT attacks, which are increasingly targeting smartphone users. These attacks allow criminals to secretly take control of a victims device, enabling them to operate banking apps in real time while the customer is still active on the phone.
- RAT scams are particularly dangerous because they show no obvious signs of device takeover, making detection extremely difficult.
- Fraudsters gain direct access to sensitive financial applications, increasing the risk of immediate monetary loss.
- Bonolo Sebolai, Head of Fraud at TymeBank, described RAT scams as among the most sophisticated threats currently affecting South African consumers.
