JOHANNESBURG - One click changed a Johannesburg pensioner’s life forever.
Luisa Westphal claims fraudsters drained more than R1.2 million from her bank accounts in a sophisticated phishing scam.
A caller claiming to represent South African Airways promised discounted flights before directing the 63-year-old to what looked like a legitimate booking platform.
Minutes later, she says more than R1.2 million had been fraudulently transferred from bank accounts belonging to her and her husband.
She’s now fighting to recover the money while broader questions are being asked about whether banks are keeping up with increasingly sophisticated cybercrime.
With cybercrime evolving, questions are mounting over who bears responsibility when customers fall prey to sophisticated scams.
Westphal said she’s speaking out not just to recover her money, but to expose the growing threat facing bank customers across South Africa.
eNCA’s Nabeelah Shaikh reports in the video above.
DStv Channel 403
Wednesday, 15 July 2026
