While typically faced with SIM swap fraud and network infrastructure vandalism, South Africa’s telecoms sector is now grappling with complex, layered threats that include cyber crime targeting mobile and data infrastructure.
These threats were calculated at an estimated cost of R5.3 billion annually in 2024, based on insights from the Communications Risk Information Centre (COMRiC).
COMRiC further notes that SIM swap fraud accounts for 60% of mobile banking breaches. In addition, the telecoms industry must contend with subscription fraud and SIM box fraud, which accounts for 40% of the crimes affecting the sector, it states.
COMRiC is a non-profit organisation (NPO) focused on leading crime and risk intelligence within the telecoms industry. It counts Cell C, Vodacom, MTN SA, Telkom and Liquid Intelligent Technologies as its founding members.
Released yesterday, the latest insights into telecoms fraud provide an overview of emerging threats, systemic vulnerabilities and strategic responses shaping sector-wide resilience.
Unpacking the NPO’s inaugural 2025 Telecommunications Sector Report, Thokozani Mvelase, CEO of COMRiC, said technology evolution, geopolitical tensions and economic issues impact the sector, because sector players operate in SA and also trade internationally.
“The 2025 report shows that while the threat landscape is escalating, so too is the sector’s capacity to respond. South Africa must now move beyond reactive measures and build a resilient, collaborative defence framework that spans the public and private sectors.”
Cyber worries
Cyber security threats have evolved from phishing and malware into more targeted, AI-powered impersonation and manipulation campaigns, says the NPO’s report.
Unlike 2024 where incidents were primarily external, the first quarter of 2025 saw a rise in employees falling for scams, or misusing access that compromises user credentials, it notes.
Furthermore, fraud in South African telecoms-linked transactions rose by 78% from 2022 to 2023, as indicated by COMRiC.
Ranked among the top three global risks, cyber security threats have escalated to the point where one wonders if it shouldn’t be ranked higher, said Mvelase.
Emerging tactics
The report highlights subscription fraud and SIM box crimes as further concerns for the telecoms industry.
Subscription fraud is where synthetic identities are used to gain unlawful access to telco customers, acquire devices and exploit gaps in enforcement. It is not just a telecoms issue, but a national economic concern, according to COMRiC.
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