DStv Channel 403 Friday, 07 February 2025

Discussion: How poverty is driving people to becoming scammers

JOHANNESBURG - Unemployment and poverty are pushing individuals towards criminal activities, including scamming.  

This is according to clinical psychologist Khosi Jiyane, who said South Africa's tough economic climate has a significant psycho-social impact.  

Jiyane emphasised that while there is no one-size-fits-all explanation, poverty is often a driving factor behind scams.  

"The desperation of poverty will drive people to any means possible just to get through the day, and that could include scamming," she said.  

Jiyane explained that scamming can start on a small scale such as ambushing people on street corners with fabricated stories and can escalate over time.  

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