Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – Hawks – says it has recorded an increase in cybercrime with over 3 000 incidences being reported per week on the continent. This is double the global average.

Hawks alongside SAPS and Interpol held a conference to discuss strategies to tackle the scourge at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria on Wednesday.

National Head for the Hawks Godfrey Lebeya says it’s worrying that criminals have found new ways to deceive their victims.

“In Africa, more than 3 000 per week of cybercrimes are happening. You can imagine that part of those are happening in South Africa. So, we are worried about that as we have indicated that there is a new way of committing these types of offenses. But each crime that is committed is worrying us.”