A new report by Smile ID, a top provider of digital Know Your Customer (KYC) and identity verification services in Africa, revealed that in the first half of 2023, biometric verification reduced fraudulent users and cases by 50%.

The report also noted that textual verification, that is the use of text, passwords and security questions, has proven insufficient for ID verification as most fraudsters can only be identified by biometric checks.

The report thus suggests that among biometric methods, facial recognition emerges as the preferred and most accessible option worldwide, providing enhanced security for KYC processes. 

In an era of technological advancement and digital empowerment, Africa stands at the crossroads of promising opportunities and lurking ID fraud and cyber threats. As the continent witnesses a rapid surge in digitalization and internet penetration, it also finds itself grappling with the escalating menace of digital identity fraud.

From phishing scams to data breaches and identity theft, criminals exploit the vulnerabilities in digital systems, exposing millions to financial ruin and reputational damage.The report also revealed that in that same time, 43% of ID fraud cases were due to face mismatches, suggesting the use of stolen or missing IDs. Additionally, 41% of fraud cases were attributed to selfie spoofs.

Social media; a leading culprit in rising ID fraud

The advent of social media has revolutionized the way Africans connect, communicate, and share their lives online. However, this technological advancement has also inadvertently paved the way for a concerning rise in face mismatch fraud across the continent.

In the context of digital identity fraud, face mismatches represent a significant and troubling, yet unattended issue plaguing Africa’s youthful population. A common factor that has exacerbated the face mismatch fraud in Africa is the rising use of social media by the African populace.With over 54 countries and 1.4 billion inhabitants, Africans are one of the highest users of social media platforms globally. According to Statista, in absolute terms, there were 271 million Facebook users in Africa in 2022, a number forecast to reach over 377 million by 2025. Furthermore, YouTube had around 180 million African users, while Twitter’s user base stood at about 24 million as of the same year.

While social media has many benefits for connecting people and increasing exposure, it is important to have a secure infrastructure with proper legal identity documentation and verification systems in place. Without these measures, social media can become a vulnerability for cyberstalking and theft.

Why you should be cautious of ID sharing on social media

One primary way users’ identities are stolen is through the sharing of personal photos on social media platforms. Malicious actors can easily access these publicly available images and use them to create fake profiles or forge identity documents, leading to instances of facial identity mismatch.Also, the ease of sharing content across social media platforms has facilitated the spread of deep fake technology, which has become a potent tool for fraud. Fraudsters can employ sophisticated AI algorithms to superimpose a person’s face onto a different body or create entirely fabricated videos and images that resemble the victim.

By using deep fakes, cyber criminals can easily deceive facial recognition systems and gain unauthorized access to various services and accounts.

Of course, disparities naturally arise when facial recognition technology misreads the authentication of a person’s identification, leaving a gap between the person’s appearance and the identity documents they show. Yet, most cybercriminals have acquired the art of avoiding detection in cases involving criminal activity and identity fraud.In conclusion, there is a heightened need for awareness and proactive measures to be taken to combat the issue of face mismatch fraud and identity theft. It also requires a collective effort from social media companies who demand users’ data, governments, and users themselves to promote digital literacy, data privacy protection, and responsible online behaviour, ultimately safeguarding the integrity of digital identities in Africa.