In South Africa, 60% of organisations have reported a surge in AI-facilitated financial crimes, exceeding the global average of 56% [1]. This increase has significantly raised the cost of compliance, with South African financial institutions incurring an estimated USD 1.4 billion in compliance-related expenses. The rising costs underscore the mounting pressure AI-driven crime is placing on financial systems across the continent.

A typical “face attack” begins with scammers harvesting publicly available photos and voice clips from social media. Using generative adversarial networks (GANS), these actors produce lifelike video and audio clones that can impersonate trusted contacts or exchange support teams. Once trust is established, victims are manipulated into sharing private keys, one-time passwords, or authorisation codes, resulting in unauthorised withdrawals and stolen assets.

These attacks exploit the abundance of personal data online—selfies, ID photos, and casual videos are stitched together to create AI-generated faces capable of bypassing facial recognition systems. When paired with a stolen device containing a crypto app like Binance, attackers can quickly gain unauthorised access to user accounts.

In response, Binance has rolled out a suite of AI-powered defences. Liveness-detection models analyse micro-expressions and eye movements in real time to differentiate between real users and deepfakes. Behavioural-biometric engines track typing rhythms, mouse movements, and device signals to detect anomalies. Additionally, transaction anomaly algorithms monitor for behaviour that deviates from a user’s typical patterns, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorised transactions.

In 2024 alone, these AI tools contributed to the recovery of over USD 88 million in compromised crypto.

“This is a war of algorithms,” said Samukele Mkhize, Country Compliance Head at Binance. “The only effective defence against malicious AI is stronger, ethical AI.”

Binance’s global compliance operation includes over 750 professionals who have handled nearly 60,000 law enforcement requests, typically responding within 72 hours. The team has also trained several South African officers in tackling AI-enabled crypto crime.

Beyond security, Binance’s AI capabilities are being used to empower users. Machine-learning trading bots and predictive analytics tools—once limited to institutional investors—are now accessible to retail users across Africa. These tools analyse real-time market data  and integrate with mobile money platforms in Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, enabling users to identify trends, manage risks, and automate strategies more effectively.

Education also remains central to Binance’s approach. In 2024, more than 10 million Africans accessed AI-personalised learning through Binance Academy. Interactive courses, multilingual safety quizzes, and face-attack simulations have helped users stay informed and alert. By adapting to each user’s learning style, the platform is helping turn novices into more security-conscious participants.

The AI arms race is not just about technology—it’s about trust. Binance is focused on building a secure, transparent, and sustainable crypto ecosystem in Africa. Working closely with local regulators, the platform ensures compliance with regional laws while continuing to  invest in ethical AI development, privacy protection, and innovation.

How to Protect Yourself from Face Attacks:

     * Limit public exposure: Adjust privacy settings on social platforms to reduce access to personal photos.
    * Secure devices: Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid saving login credentials on mobile devices.
    * Act fast: Freeze your account via the Binance app if suspicious activity is detected. Report lost or stolen devices immediately.
    * Verify communications: Always cross-check links or messages via Binance’s official verification page.
    * Stay alert: If something feels off, pause and verify. Vigilance remains the strongest personal defence.

AI-powered face attacks reflect the evolving risks of the digital era. With continued innovation in AI security and growing user awareness, platforms like Binance are working to stay one step ahead, protecting users, preserving trust, and securing the future of crypto in Africa.