The ‘Facata’ scam is a prevalent form of cyber fraud, particularly in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and South Africa, where fraudsters impersonate bank or mobile money employees to trick victims into revealing sensitive personal and financial information. The name “facata” likely refers to the act of being tricked or defrauded.
The scammers use sophisticated tactics to gain trust and manipulate victims into making transactions that give the fraudsters access to their accounts.
Impersonation: Scammers typically call or message victims, claiming to be from a reputable institution like a bank, mobile network operator (e.g., MTN Mobile Money), or even the police.
Deception: They often create a sense of urgency or alarm, for example, by claiming the victim’s account has been compromised or that a suspicious transaction is taking place which they need to “block”.
Information Gathering: They convince the victim to share confidential details such as bank details, PINs, or one-time passwords (OTPs).
The “Facata” Maneuver: In a specific variation, the scammer instructs the victim to enter certain numbers or prompts on their phone, which actually gives the scammer remote access to their mobile money or bank account, allowing them to withdraw funds.
Authorities and mobile network operators advise the public to remain vigilant and follow these safety guidelines:
- Never Share Sensitive Information: Legitimate organizations, banks, or police will never ask for your PINs, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTPs) over the phone, email, or messaging platforms.
- Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Contact: Be wary of unexpected calls or messages, especially those promising quick profits, job offers, or government grants, which are common scam tactics.
- Verify Official Communication Channels: Only use official and verified contact numbers for institutions. For example, the Royal Eswatini Police Service uses only one official WhatsApp number: +268 7999 1000.
- Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links: Do not click on links in suspicious messages or download apps from unverified sources.
- Report Incidents: If you are targeted or fall victim to a scam, report the incident immediately to your nearest police station or relevant authorities.
Staying informed and applying a little logic are the best ways to avoid these scams.