South Africa is facing a fraud crisis.

The newly released 2025 sector report by Comric (Communication Risk Information Centre) reveals that SIM swap-related attacks now account for 60% of all mobile banking breaches. In total, fraud in the telecommunications sector is draining an estimated R5.3 billion per year from the economy.

Despite safeguards at the network level, fraudsters continue to exploit a growing gap between mobile operators and digital platforms - especially where one-time passwords (OTPs) or SMS-based verifications are used.

And the reality is: they’re succeeding.

What Is SIM Swap Fraud—and Why Is It Increasing?

SIM swap fraud occurs when criminals deceive a mobile network operator into transferring a customer’s number to a new SIM card in their possession. Once the swap is complete, all SMS messages - including sensitive OTPs - are rerouted to the fraudster.

Often, the scam is enabled through phishing (emails, voice calls, or social engineering on social media) where the victim unknowingly gives up enough personal information for the attacker to impersonate them.

Victims typically only realise something is wrong when they lose mobile connectivity - by then, it’s often too late.

The SIM Swap Gap

The core problem is this: banks and digital platforms rely heavily on mobile numbers for customer authentication, but they often don’t know if a SIM swap has recently taken place.

This blind spot - between a legitimate number and a compromised identity - is what criminals are exploiting.

As Comric CEO Thokozani Mvelase noted at the report launch:

“A person cannot register a SIM card onto a network if it is not on the operator’s asset register. The problem needs to be fixed at the point of registration.”

But fraud also needs to be detected at the point of transaction - when it matters most.

Grapevine’s Solution: Real-Time SIM Swap Detection

Grapevine’s SIM Swap Detection API helps banks, fintechs, and digital platforms close this critical gap. Our cloud-based service enables companies to perform checks for any SIM changes in real time - at the exact moment your customer initiates a high-risk action like:

• Adding a new beneficiary
  
• Making a large transaction
  
• Resetting login credentials
  
• Requesting sensitive account change
  

Once a SIM swap is detected, you can:

• Pause or block the transaction
  
• Trigger alternative verification methods
  
• Alert your internal fraud or security teams

Why Use Grapevine’s SIM Swap Detection?

Help prevent fraud
Stop fraud before it starts by detecting recent SIM swaps in real time—so you can flag suspicious activity before it impacts your customers.

Reduce costs
By preventing SIM swap fraud, companies can save money, time, and critical resources that would otherwise be spent resolving fraud-related issues.

Protect brand reputation
Avoid reputational damage by putting smart prevention measures in place from the start - before fraud impacts your customers and your brand.

Key Advantages of Grapevine’s SIM Swap Detection

1. Fast Integration
   Easily integrate SIM Swap Detection into your systems and workflows via our simple API.
   
   
2. Better Insight and Customer Satisfaction
   Utilise customer data generated by mobile networks to proactively protect users and build trust.
   
   
3. Cloud-Based Deployment
   No costly infrastructure required - rapidly build and scale in the cloud.

It’s Time to Close the SIM Swap Gap

With SIM swap fraud now responsible for 60% of mobile banking breaches, the time to act is now. Grapevine empowers financial institutions to move from reaction to prevention.

Let us help you protect your customers - and your reputation.