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National ID Fraud Accounted for 27% of Identity Document Frauds in Africa in 2024, Report Reveals

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A recent report by SMILE ID, a leading identity solutions provider in Africa, reveals that in 2024, national ID fraud cases accounted for 27% of all identity document fraud incidents across the continent.

This alarming increase in fraud is attributed to the widespread use of national IDs as the primary form of identification in numerous sectors.

Following national IDs, driver’s licenses ranked as the second most frequently compromised identity document, with a fraud rate of 24%. This high rate is linked to the common use of driver’s licenses in both formal and informal contexts.

In comparison, passports, often regarded as more secure due to stringent issuance protocols, had a fraud rate of 20%.

The report also highlights that work permits and alien cards accounted for 19% of fraud cases, while voter ID cards experienced the lowest fraud rate at 14%.

These figures underscore the varying vulnerabilities of different types of identification, with national IDs particularly at risk due to their popularity and widespread acceptance.

“While passports and specialized documents such as work permits show lower fraud rates, their misuse tends to involve high-stakes situations, like international travel or employment fraud, which can result in significant financial and reputational damage,” the report stated.

In response to the growing problem of identity fraud, several African nations are rolling out digital ID systems to enhance security and improve identity verification.

For instance, South Africa is in the process of replacing its outdated Green ID Books, which are prone to fraud, with more secure Smart ID cards.

Ethiopia is also making progress with its National Identification Programme (NIDP), known as Fayda, which was launched in 2022. This initiative uses biometric technology to provide secure digital identities, reducing fraud and improving access to essential services for millions of citizens.

Despite these positive strides, the report raises concern about a troubling trend: an increase in fraud cases linked to generative AI.

Criminals are increasingly using AI to create hyper-realistic fake documents, voices, and images, enabling them to impersonate individuals and commit financial crimes.

SMILE ID reports that incidents of deepfake-related fraud in Africa surged sevenfold from the second to the fourth quarter of 2024, as easily accessible AI tools lowered the barriers to producing fraudulent identities and manipulating biometric data.

Additionally, selfie anomalies, which are key indicators of biometric fraud, accounted for 34% of emerging fraud cases.

Mark Straub, CEO of SMILE ID, commented on the dual role of AI in this context.

He noted that while it has provided fraudsters with advanced tools, it can also be leveraged by security professionals to utilize global intelligence and improve fraud detection systems.

He warned, however, that “fintech platforms with weak Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols remain the most vulnerable, as these bad actors exploit identity farming to create fraudulent accounts that obscure the origins of illicit funds.”

To address these vulnerabilities, collaboration across industries, governments, and technology providers is crucial in creating a safer digital ecosystem.

The report also reveals significant regional differences in fraud methods across Africa in 2024.

East Africa recorded the highest rejection rate for document fraud cases at 27%, largely due to the region’s heavy reliance on physical documents.

West Africa emerged as the center of biometric fraud, with the highest number of spoofing incidents and face-match inconsistencies, as well as increased vulnerability to AI-powered fraud attempts.

Central Africa saw a 3% increase in its rejection rate, reaching 22% compared to 2023, while Southern Africa experienced a significant rise in fraud cases from 9% to 21%, largely driven by fraud attempts involving the retiring Green ID book.

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