Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 5 hrs ago
Free online cybercrime helpline launches in South Africa
People in South Africa aged 13 and older can now seek free, confidential help after online scams, hacking, extortion or harassment.
The Cyber Helpline, a UK charity, has launched a 12-month pilot with local organisation MiDO Academy, funded by Amazon Web Services.
Individuals and sole traders can start with a chatbot that gives step-by-step guidance at any time; cases needing more help may go to a human responder.
There is no phone hotline, and the stated response time is up to 72 hours, so anyone who has just lost money should contact their bank immediately.
The service helps people secure accounts and devices, preserve evidence and find out where to report, but it cannot recover money or investigate crimes.
It may refer people to the police, banks or other support services, and it does not replace filing a formal police report.
The pilot is staffed by MiDO Academy students working under experienced supervisors, and its future funding is not guaranteed.
The Cyber Helpline has launched a free 12-month pilot in South Africa with MiDO Academy, funded by Amazon Web Services.
The confidential service is available to people aged 13 and older, including individuals and sole traders.
Users begin with a chatbot that provides guidance at any hour, and cases needing more help are referred to human responders.
The service cannot recover money or investigate crimes, and its stated response time is 72 hours.
It helps victims take practical steps, such as securing accounts and preserving evidence, and can refer them to other services.
- Who
- The Cyber Helpline and MiDO Academy launched the service, with funding from Amazon Web Services.
- What
- A free cybercrime helpline offering online guidance and support.
- When
- The 12-month pilot launched in October 2026.
- Where
- South Africa.
- Why
- To help people affected by online crime understand what happened and take practical steps.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Many people simply don’t know where to turn when something happens to them online.
Sophisticated scams are designed to manipulate human psychology.
The Cyber Helpline says people began using its guidance.
The Cyber Helpline launched its 12-month South African pilot with MiDO Academy.
MiDO Academy is running the Cyber Steps Challenge fundraiser on BackaBuddy.
- Pilot length
- 12 months
- Minimum age
- 13
- Official response time
- 72 hours
- Active South African responders
- 10
- Responders who completed training
- 16
- Service cost
- About R50 000 per responder a year
Sources
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