A woman from Lobamba was reported to have lost E200 000 of her pension payout after being scammed.
During the session, ESCCOM Cybersecurity Assistant Director Nokuthula Hlophe recounted one recent case that underscored the vulnerability of the elderly in the digital age. The retired woman from Lobamba lost the payout just days after her pension was deposited.
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The money was withdrawn in three large transactions before she realised something was wrong. Investigations later revealed that she had clicked on a fraudulent link resembling her bank’s website. The scammer had mirrored the site’s design, including logos and customer service contacts, tricking her into entering her details. By the time she reported the incident, the funds had been transferred to several untraceable accounts.
“This is exactly why we are here. The criminals are fast and sophisticated. Once money is gone, it is almost impossible to recover. Prevention is the only real protection,” Hlophe said.
She further mentioned that police were investigating the case and ESCCOM was working with local banks to improve alert systems for unusual transactions.
She said cybercrime had been steadily rising in Eswatini alongside the expansion of mobile banking, online shopping, and digital payments.
In 2024 alone, more than E30 million was lost to digital fraud, much of it involving Mobile Money accounts.
Hlophe said the elderly were among the most targeted groups because they often lack digital literacy and were hesitant to question official-sounding messages. Minister Maziya said government’s approach combined technology with community education.
“Digital progress is important but it must be safe. We cannot allow criminals to use technology to steal from our elders,” the minister said.
She also pledged that her ministry would expand the cybercrime awareness campaign to rural communities, where Mobile Money usage is high but access to information is limited. “We want every citizen young and old to understand that technology is not the enemy. It is a tool. But it must be used wisely,” she said.
When pensioners left the library, many expressed gratitude for the training, some resetting passwords on the spot. Others promised to teach their peers back home.“I have learned that you must never share your PIN, even with your children,” said 72-year-old pensioner Anna Matsebula.
Children, youth scamming pensioners
MANY online scams are not carried out by foreign hackers or strangers, but by young people in respective homes.
“We have found that a number of cases involve children and grandchildren stealing or phishing their parents’ and grandparents’ accounts,” said ESCCOM Cybersecurity Assistant Director Nokuthula Hlophe.
She said the youth abused elderlies’ trust to get passwords or Mobile Money PINs, and then drain the accounts.
She added that the emotional shame attached to such cases often prevented the elderly from reporting them.
“Most of the time grandparents stay silent because they are embarrassed or afraid of getting their children arrested. This silence allows the problem to grow,” said Hlophe. She urged pensioners to protect their finances the same way they protected their homes.
“Never give your PIN to anyone. Do not use simple passwords like your birthday. Do not click on links sent to you through WhatsApp or text messages,” she warned. One of the most serious threats highlighted during the session was the rise of WhatsApp scams.
According to ESCCOM data, scammers increasingly infiltrate WhatsApp groups, particularly community, church and family groups to collect phone numbers.
Once they gain access, they impersonate trusted contacts and send messages asking victims to forward security codes or click suspicious links.
“Once you share that code, the attacker takes over your WhatsApp account. They then send messages to your friends or family asking for money or pretending to be in trouble. By the time you realise it, they have already emptied accounts or borrowed money in your name,” Hlophe explained.
The regulator identified phishing fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information as the most common cybercrime in Eswatini.
These scams often begin with a realistic-looking message from a bank or mobile operator claiming that the user’s account has been suspended or require an update.
Hlophe said ESCCOM had recorded a surge in phishing attempts in the past six months, many targeting elderly citizens who use Mobile Money to receive pensions or family support.
“Scammers know when pension payments are made. They time their attacks around those dates. If you receive a message saying your account will be closed or that you must verify something, ignore it and call your bank directly,” she said.
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