Cybercriminals Target 2 Billion New Internet Users by 2030 as Africa's Scam Losses Hit $484 Million
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Nov 5
Cybercriminals Target 2 Billion New Internet Users by 2030 as Africa's Scam Losses Hit $484 Million
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Nov 5
Summary
Roughly 2 billion more people are expected to come online by 2030, creating a large new pool of first-time users vulnerable to phishing, fake websites, spyware and ransomware.
Cybersecurity experts say criminals are industrialising those attacks with AI, automation, deepfakes and ready-made phishing kits, while digital literacy and consumer protections lag behind connectivity growth.
Africa is especially exposed: internet users there are forecast to rise by more than 280 million in four years, yet cybercrime losses have already jumped to $484 million from $192 million since 2024, according to Interpol.
Governments, police and tech companies have rolled out hotlines, investigations and security tools, but many measures still focus on pursuing criminals or platform safety rather than preparing new users before they are scammed.
With internet-connected devices projected to exceed 38 billion by 2030, the widening attack surface is likely to deepen risks unless education and basic protections expand alongside access.