AI makes scammers harder to spot
namibian.com.na Oct 9, 2026

AI makes scammers harder to spot

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Cybersecurity specialists warned at the Cybersafety for All seminar in Windhoek that personal data posted on social media is being harvested to craft hyper‑personalised phishing attacks. Andrew Brown highlighted AI‑driven real‑time face‑swapping, enabling criminals to impersonate individuals during video calls and to bypass “view‑once” privacy controls by photographing screens. Sheldon Shava explained that platforms such as Facebook and Instagram supply the details needed to build victim profiles, which are then weaponised in targeted scams. Graduate Tafadzwa Mhuriyengwe added that AI can generate polished, convincing emails and messages, making fraudulent communications harder to spot. Speakers urged users to limit online disclosures, verify unusual requests, and urged organisations to regularly test and harden their security systems.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · AI‑enhanced impersonation erodes trust in digital interactions, forcing both individuals and businesses to adopt stricter verification practices.