The report, released on November 18, reveals that 58% of Rwandans said they had been approached through email, phone calls, text messages or online scams between February and May this year.
The report shows that Rwanda recorded the highest rate of suspected digital fraud at the account creation stage, with 2.8% of new account attempts flagged as suspicious in the first half of 2025. This mirrors the global trend, where account creation has become the most vulnerable stage in the digital consumer lifecycle.
TransUnion, which analysed billions of transactions across more than 40,000 websites and mobile apps, says the fraud landscape is expanding as more Rwandans move their financial and personal activities online.
'Rwanda's fraud landscape is expanding with digital adoption, especially in banking and retail,' said Amritha Reddy, Senior Director of Fraud Product Management at TransUnion Africa. 'Low digital literacy, weak consumer protection and limited cybersecurity capacity are major vulnerabilities.'
Communities platforms most affected
Among transactions initiated within Rwanda, the communities sector, which includes online forums and dating sites, recorded the highest rate of suspected digital fraud at 2.5%, followed by financial services (1.4%) and gaming platforms (1.1%). Despite the relatively lower percentages, the report notes that fraudsters continue to adjust their tactics, exploiting platforms where users are more relaxed or less vigilant.
Globally, the video gaming industry was the most affected, with suspected fraud reaching 13.5% of transactions, a 28% increase from last year.
Money and gift card scams lead in Rwanda
Scammers targeting Rwandan consumers used a range of tactics, but money and gift card scams were the most prevalent. Almost half of those who were targeted (49%) reported receiving such attempts. Phishing (31%), vishing (28%), money mule schemes and fake third-party sellers on legitimate retail websites (25% each) were also commonly reported.
9% of Rwandans fell victim
The report shows that 9% of Rwandans who were targeted actually fell victim, placing Rwanda in the mid-range among African countries included in the study. South Africa recorded the highest victimisation rate at 13%, while Botswana had the lowest at 6%.
TransUnion warns that the rapid rise in account takeover attempts, which rose by 21% globally compared to last year and has surged 141% since 2021, means businesses can no longer rely on reactive security measures. The report highlights identity verification, device reputation checks and behavioural biometrics as the most effective fraud-prevention technologies recognised by global business leaders.
'As scammers evolve their tactics, protecting customer accounts is not just a priority; it's a business imperative,' Reddy said. She urged companies and financial institutions to invest in continuous consumer education and cybersecurity systems.
The report concludes that Rwanda's digital safety will depend on collaboration between government, private sector players and consumers themselves. TransUnion encourages Rwandans to regularly review their credit information to detect unusual activity and reduce the risk of identity theft.
With digital adoption rising and fraud tactics becoming more sophisticated, experts say enhancing public awareness and strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure will be crucial to protect consumers and maintain trust in Rwanda's rapidly growing digital economy.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
