Ever since South Africa was awarded the right to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup some years ago, both locals and foreigners have persistently expressed concerns regarding security during the soccer showpiece. Such concerns have focused primarily on the threat posed by terrorism and violent crime. The violent murder of AWB leader Eugene Terre’Blanche’s and recent threats by the Islamic group Al-Qeada in the Magreb have served only to heighten fears that the World Cup in South Africa may be marred by an act or acts of violence.

Placating such fears, South African officials have repeatedly stated that the country is well prepared to manage a diversity of security threats. The announcement, meanwhile, that Interpol’s deployment at the 2010 SWC will be the largest ever, certainly inspires confidence. All indications are that security preparations, now at an advanced stage, are progressing smoothly. In this regard measures addressing direct threats to the event, such as a terrorist attack targeting one of the stadiums, appear to be in place. What is less clear however is whether authorities are equally well prepared to manage any number of indirect security threats.

One such threat is identity theft, which while it will not impact directly on the World Cup, is likely to be a serious problem for visitors and residents alike. Brought into sharp focus by the arrest, in Pretoria last week, of five members of a sophisticated international fraud syndicate, identity theft is the subject of this week’s 2010 FIFA World Cup feature article.

What is identity theft?

Identity theft encompasses a great many crimes and is something of a “catch-all” term. Typically though it can be understood as all those crimes in which a person’s personal data is wrongfully obtained and used fraudulently or deceptively, most often for economic gain. Such crimes include bank-related crimes, cyber-crimes, and identification document and curriculum vitae fraud. While identity theft is by no means a contemporary phenomenon, with rapid advances in technology, especially information technology, and the growing interconnectedness of communities and countries, it is increasingly a problem.

While statistics on identity theft vary, most studies have identified a rapid upswing in such crimes over the last decade. In the United States, for example, identity theft is the fasted growing type of fraud; in 2008 some 9.9 million Americans were reportedly victims of identity theft, which costs US consumers $50 billion per annum. Conservative estimates of the cost of identity theft to the United Kingdom economy stand at $3.5 billion per annum. Notably, identity theft is by no means limited to the developed world. On the contrary, it is particularly prevalent in emerging and frontier markets where legislation is often deficient and the authorities lack the capacity to successfully investigate and prosecute such crimes. Nigeria, the home of the “419” and other sophisticated Internet scams is one such example.

Identity theft in South Africa

Like organized crime, identity theft has flourished in South Africa since the early 1990s. The fall of apartheid in South Africa and with it the demise of the security state and the opening up of the new South Africa to the world, provided important antecedent conditions for a sharp increase in identity theft. So too did rapid advancements in information technology which have enabled identity theft to be committed across borders and between jurisdictions. South Africa’s response meanwhile has been constrained by an onerous legal framework and the incapacity and incapability of key government departments like the South African Police Services and the Department of Justice.

According to one study, identity theft costs the South African economy in the region of R1 billion ($ 137 million) per annum. Bank-related crimes which include bank card and ATM scams as well as internet phishing attacks are almost endemic in South Africa. So too is identification document and curriculum vitae fraud. While a relatively comprehensive legal framework exists to address identity theft in South Africa, identity theft, like the technology which facilitates it, is constantly evolving. As a result, legislation is often quickly out dated and does not address the increasingly sophisticated types of identity theft which emerge.

Identity theft and the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Most analysts agree that there is likely to be a spike in identity theft in South Africa during the 2010 SWC. With thousands of foreigners expected to visit South Africa during the tournament, many of those involved in identity theft will find it relatively easy to enter the country undetected. The World Cup represents a great opportunity for such criminals. Tourists, in particular, are likely to be targeted. Not only are tourists perceived as soft targets; an incident of identity theft is likely to only be detected on their return home, weeks or months after the crime has taken place. Furthermore where tourists are targeted, jurisdictional issues will make the prosecution of identity theft challenging, and in some cases almost impossible. Should an arrest be made and a suspect prosecuted, it is extremely unlikely that victims of identity theft will return to South Africa to testify as witnesses. This will no doubt embolden criminals, who if they are selective about their targets will be almost untouchable.

While direct threats to the World Cup have been prioritized, this is not to say that identity theft has been completely neglected. On the contrary Interpol, the South African authorities and SABRIC have been working in their respective domains to ensure that the threat of identity theft is managed. According to Interpol and South African security officials, sophisticated international identity theft syndicates are the main concern. These are syndicates which will in all likelihood enter the country in the months and weeks preceding the World Cup and use the event to establish a foothold in South Africa. What is most concerning about these syndicates is that they are often involved in other organized crimes such as money laundering, drug smuggling and human trafficking. Interpol should prove vital in tackling such syndicates as the organization has experience and technical skills which the South African authorities do not. According to Interpol officials they will be concentrating on South Africa's points of entry to deter the entry of potential criminals prior to and during the World Cup.

With a focus on bank-related identity theft, SABRIC has undertaken a number of initiatives in the lead up to the World Cup. Having proved successful in dealing with bank and cash-in-transit robberies as well as ATM bombings, SABRIC have said they will be collaborating closely with the relative authorities during the event. Such collaboration will include the sharing of information as well as the implementation of standard operating procedures in dealing with incidents of identity theft. To highlight the risk posed by identity theft, SABRIC has also planned a publicity campaign which will target tourists, bank employees and security officials.

All indications are that there has been adequate planning to address the risk posed by identity theft during the World Cup. There are however serious questions marks over the implementation of such plans. A number of security officials have conceded that it is a case of “too much to do, too little time.” This will result in inevitable weaknesses which the most sophisticated syndicates are likely to exploit.

How to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft

While identity theft is rife in South Africa and is likely to spike during the World Cup, the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft can be almost eliminated by being vigilant and observing basic common sense.

Personal information should be closely guarded. Always scrutinize requests for information and do not respond to suspicious telephone calls and e-mails, especially when they request log in details and passwords. When transacting online, ensure that the website its authentic. Be particularly cautious when drawing money at ATMs and paying for goods and services by card. When paying for goods and services, always ensure that your cards and identification documents remain in sight. Access your bank account balances regularly and report suspicious activity immediately. Keep identification documents as well as copies of such documents secure. Always remember to report the loss or theft of identification documents as soon as is possible. Do not give strangers personal information including your contact details. Politely decline the unsolicited advances of strangers. Finally, be discriminating about the information that you post on social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter.