The Sentinel

Fake ChatGPT, Sora and DeepSeek apps, websites and browser add-ons are spreading data-stealing malware. How to tell a real AI tool from a malicious copy.

Online shopping scams are evolving with AI. Learn how to identify fraudulent storefronts, verify site legitimacy, and protect your finances when buying online.

Report cybercrime to the NCCIA — the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (helpline 1799), which replaced the FIA's cyber wing in 2025 — and call your bank immediately to freeze the beneficiary account.

Phone your bank's 24/7 fraud line immediately to freeze the account, then lay a charge at any SAPS station and get your CAS number. South Africa has no automatic refund scheme, so a same-day report is your best chance.

Call the National Scam Response Centre on 997 immediately — it runs 24/7 and a 997 call now counts as your police report. Police and banks can only freeze the money inside a roughly 24-hour window, so speed is everything.

Faire opposition with your bank immediately, then file a complaint via THESEE for online scams. For unauthorised payments, French law (Article L133-18) forces a refund by the next business day.

Call your bank immediately to place a Post-No-Debit lien on the recipient account, then report to the EFCC (Eagle Eye app) or the Police National Cybercrime Centre. Recovery depends on freezing the money before it is withdrawn.

Call 110, file online via your state's Onlinewache, and call your bank now. If the payment was unauthorised, German law (Section 675u BGB) forces the bank to refund you by the next business day.

Call 110 or the police advice line #9110, and tell your bank immediately to freeze the recipient account. Japan's Furikome Fraud Victim Recovery Act lets banks freeze a fraud account on the spot and return remaining funds to victims.

Report to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group or the NBI and call your bank or e-wallet immediately to freeze the funds. Under the 2024 AFASA law, banks can hold disputed money for up to 30 days and may have to repay you if they were negligent.

Report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, file with your local police, and call your bank immediately. Canada has no law forcing banks to refund scam victims, so acting within the hour is everything.

Report scams to Scamwatch and cybercrime to ReportCyber, and call your bank the moment money leaves your account. Australia's new Scams Prevention Framework (2025) makes banks, telcos and platforms act — but reimbursement is not automatic.