We received over 700 reports of online fraud cases in Q1 2026 — CSA

The Cyber Security Authority (CSA) has recorded 720 cases of online fraud between January and March 2026, a sharp rise compared to the same period last year.

The figure marks a 113 per cent increase from the 338 cases reported in the first quarter of 2025, highlighting increasing cyber threats in the country.

In a statement dated April 1, the authority attributed the surge to heightened commercial activity during festive periods, particularly the Easter season.

“Between January and March 2026, the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) received 720 cases of online fraud. This represents a significant increase of 113% (an additional 382 cases) compared to the 338 cases recorded during the same period in 2025,” the statement read in part.

According to the CSA, scammers are exploiting online shopping trends by creating fake e-commerce platforms and impersonating legitimate businesses to lure unsuspecting victims.

It noted that brand impersonation and phishing schemes are also increasing with fraudsters manipulating search engine results and sending deceptive messages to steal personal and financial information.

“Malicious actors have been observed to take advantage of the heightened commercial activity associated with festive seasons to perpetrate online scams,” the authority warned.

The CSA advised the public to remain vigilant, avoid deals that appear too good to be true, and verify the authenticity of online sellers before making payments.

It also urged individuals to refrain from sharing sensitive personal information and to report suspected cybercrime through its 24-hour incident response channels.