Fakes, deepfakes and bogus deals, FlySafair warns shoppers ahead of Black Friday rush

As South Africans prepare for Black Friday and the holiday travel season, FlySafair has issued a strong warning for consumers to stay alert, saying cybercriminals are deploying increasingly sophisticated tactics to exploit the shopping frenzy.

The airline says the surge in online activity around Black Friday creates the perfect environment for fraud. According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), more than 100,000 cyber-attacks on banking accounts were recorded in 2024, costing victims an estimated R1.8 billion, an 86% increase from the previous year.

"Black Friday’s urgency creates ideal conditions for scammers,” said FlySafair Chief Marketing Officer Kirby Gordon.

“Time pressure, irresistible discounts, and high transaction volumes make consumers more susceptible to fraud. Criminals know this and use it to their advantage.”

FlySafair says cybercriminals are now using far more advanced methods than in previous years. AI-generated deepfakes are being used to impersonate brands and individuals, making fake messages and videos appear legitimate.

Fraudsters are also creating near-identical websites that mimic FlySafair’s platform, tricking users into entering their personal information. QR code phishing and SMS-based scams are becoming increasingly common, often disguised as courier updates or account verification messages.Social media has become another key channel for deception.

According to FlySafair, scammers have created fake pages impersonating the airline and advertising impossible deals such as unlimited flights for under R100. These false ads are designed to harvest personal and payment information.

“If an offer feels unrealistic, pause before you click,” Gordon warned.

“Always confirm deals via our official website or verified social media accounts. Look for the blue verification checkmark.”

The airline warned that artificial intelligence now makes impersonation scams harder to spot. Fraudsters can generate hyper-realistic videos, voice notes and emails that appear to come from trusted sources.

Black Friday’s flood of promotional messages also gives scammers an opportunity to blend in. FlySafair says fake courier notifications, bogus account verification alerts and malicious QR codes are becoming more common.

Travellers are urged to always check that a URL reads exactly as flysafair.co.za before clicking.

The airline highlighted a growing trend where scammers request Passenger Name Records (PNRs), claiming to need them for refund processing or booking confirmation.

“We will never request your PNR through unsolicited messages,” Gordon stressed.

“If you receive such a request, contact us directly via official channels.”

The airline also encourages customers to report any suspicious activity immediately, noting that public awareness is a crucial tool in combating fraud.

For verification of any FlySafair promotion, competition or communication, customers can visit flysafair.co.za or contact customer service through the official channels listed on the website.

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