The dark side of digital communication

Increased connectivity offers many benefits to African countries, but also comes with risks.

Date: 2016-05-03

Time: 10:30 to 13:00

Venue: Conference room , ISS Pretoria , Block C , Brooklyn Court , map

RSVP: Samantha de Jesus
Phone: +27 12 346 9500
Email: [email protected]

The sharp rise in digital communication in Africa is largely seen as beneficial to local economies.

This is based on the assumption that with increased connectivity, development on the continent will keep expanding. But this connectivity also provides opportunities for crime and criminal networks to grow.

This seminar will offer an innovative analysis of advance fee fraud, better known as the ‘419 scam’ in Africa.

The representation of this crime in popular culture, the social patterns of organised criminals and the narrative forms of fraudulent emails will also be discussed.

Chair: Gareth Newham, Head, Governance, Crime and Justice Division, ISS

Speakers:

• Christo Doherty, Associate Professor in Digital Arts, University of the Witwatersrand
• Mark Shaw, Director, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime