Digital Fortresses Under Siege: Cybercrime in Cameroon's Banking Sector and the Forensic Accounting Imperative

Background: Cameroon's banking sector—including commercial banks, microfinance institutions, and mobile money operators - is undergoing rapid digital transformation. This growth has improved financial inclusion, particularly through mobile money adoption, yet it has simultaneously exposed the sector to unprecedented cyber threats. In 2025, the Cameroonian government reported losses exceeding 1.027 billion FCFA due to online scams, including phishing, fraudulent investment platforms, SIM swap attacks, and mobile money fraud targeting both individuals and corporate accounts ([Cameroon Intelligence Report, 2025, "Biya regime loses over CFA1 billion to cybercrime in 2025", https://www.cameroonintelligencereport.com/biya-regime-loses-over-cfa1-billion-to-cybercrime-in-2025/?utm_source=chatgpt.com]). While anti-cybercrime legislation has existed since 2010, enforcement remains constrained by limited technical expertise, inadequate training, and institutional resource gaps ([INTERPOL, 2024, "Major cybercrime operation nets 1,006 suspects across Africa", https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2024/Major-cybercrime-operation-nets-1-006-suspects]). The rising frequency and sophistication of attacks, including fraudulent mobile money transfers averaging 2–5 million FCFA per incident, underscores the urgent need for enhanced fraud detection and investigation mechanisms.