Bank robberies fall sharply as criminals shift to digital fraud, SABRIC data shows

Bank robberies and ATM attacks in South Africa dropped sharply in 2025, but new figures show criminals are increasingly using digital channels to steal money from customers.

Sharp decline in physical bank attacks

According to the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), South Africa recorded two bank robberies in 2025, down from eight in 2024. ATM attacks also fell, with reported incidents decreasing by 46% and related cash losses declining by 63%.

Digital losses climb to billions

SABRIC’s latest banking crime statistics show a clear shift toward digital targeting. Reported digital banking crime losses reached R2.4 billion in 2025, up from about R1.9 billion in 2024. More than 70% of reported digital banking losses were linked to banking app-related crime.

Card fraud and remote attacks

Card fraud losses rose 18% to R1.7 billion, and card-not-present fraud remained a major concern. SABRIC highlighted methods criminals use to target customers remotely, including phishing, social engineering, impersonation and stolen banking credentials.

Security and customer protection

SABRIC has warned that criminals use social engineering to manipulate customers into sharing information or approving transactions. Consumers are advised to treat unexpected requests for banking information with caution and to never disclose their PIN, password or one-time password (OTP) to someone who contacts them unexpectedly.

Customers should also avoid accessing banking accounts through links sent by SMS, WhatsApp or email and should instead open their bank’s official app or type the bank’s website address directly into their browser.

What the shift means

The decline in traditional bank robberies marks progress for physical security, but SABRIC’s figures indicate that criminals have adapted by increasingly moving operations online, making digital banking crime a significant and growing threat to consumers and financial institutions.