Online fraud: Moroccans fall victim to digital naiveté
Digital literacy is the weak link of Moroccan society. Today, 92% of Moroccan consumers are susceptible to online scams. In fact, a recent study by the Visa group revealed that the majority of Moroccans have a «costly trust» that exposes them to various types of online scams.
The same study (Stay Secure) highlights «a worrying trend towards overconfidence among Moroccan consumers». This makes them more exposed and vulnerable to various fraud subterfuges. «Although more than half of those surveyed (57%) consider themselves sufficiently warned to spot online and telephone scams, the reality is quite different. 9 out of 10 people (92%) are likely to ignore warning signs that indicate criminal activity online». The Stay Secure study also reveals that just over one in three people in Morocco (33%) have been the victim of a scam at least once. What’s more, 12% have been duped several times. In fact, the modus operandi is ingenious. Scammers experiment with different approaches to create quasi-authentic messages. As a result, recipients remain unsuspecting and make immediate decisions. In Morocco, the study identified patterns and traps predominant in the language associated with scams. This modus operandi is based on urgency, the notion of bait, positive news or tempting offers, or even promises to win money, a car, a house, a gift… Cybercriminals often feign urgency to get people to act without thinking, for example by clicking on a link or replying to a sender, or by communicating personal data (bank account number and other bank account information, national identity card, money remittance…). Up to 33% of Moroccans will be seduced by messages concerning a security risk, such as a stolen password or data breach, while a notice from a government entity or the forces of law and order may deceive 36% of them, the study points out. Furthermore, 75% of those surveyed in Morocco would take action if a message had a positive tagline, such as «free gift», or «you’ve been selected»…Members of Generation Z are more exposed and likely to act on a promotional gift (41%) than a government notice (36%), while 40% of those surveyed would click on a link or respond to a message offering a financial opportunity. According to the study’s findings, vulnerability, overconfidence, greed and temptation can sometimes lead people to click on a fake link or respond to a fraudulent offer.
Amin RBOUB
