Ever seen an ad on Takealot, Facebook, or somewhere else that says:
“Windows 11 Pro – R149!” or “Microsoft Office 365 – Lifetime Account Only R199!”
Sounds like a great deal, right?
Not so fast. While these offers seem tempting — especially when real Microsoft Office can cost over R1,000 — there’s a darker side to these “bargains.” In fact, you might be getting ripped off and helping cybercriminals — and your software could be shut down without warning.
Let’s break it down.
Where these “cheap keys” actually come from
Most of these keys are not legal for you to use, and they’re often sold outside of Microsoft’s rules. This is called the grey market.
Here’s how they usually end up online:
- Bulk keys meant for companies or schools get resold individually. That violates the license agreement.
- Stolen or hacked keys are lifted from databases or tricked out of IT admins through phishing.
- Region-restricted keys from low-income countries are resold in South Africa.
- Keys for students or developers, not meant for personal or business use, get misused.
But these keys work, so why not?
Stolen cats, purses and cars also “work”. It doesn’t mean it’s okay.
The New Scam: Pre-activated Microsoft accounts
In some cases, the seller doesn’t give you a license key at all — instead, they send you a login for a Microsoft 365 account (like john1234@outlook.com) that’s already activated.
Sounds okay? Not really.
Here’s what’s wrong:
- You don’t own the account.
- You can’t change the password.
- You can’t manage sub-users, install limits, or recovery options.
- You’re at the mercy of whoever actually controls the account.
- At any moment, the real owner can reset your password, delete your access, or Microsoft can detect the shared account abuse and shut it down completely.
You’re basically renting a cracked lock and calling it “your new house.”
There is no such thing as a “lifetime” Microsoft 365
Let’s clear this up: Microsoft 365 is a subscription service — it’s monthly or yearly, and that’s it.
So when someone offers you: “Lifetime Microsoft 365 Family Account”
That’s 100% fake. Microsoft does not sell “lifetime access” to 365. It’s a subscription-based platform. Anyone telling you otherwise is either misinformed or trying to scam you.
The moment Microsoft sees suspicious activity (like multiple people logging in from different continents using the same “family” plan), they’ll lock the account. You’ll lose your access — along with your emails, cloud files, documents… all gone.
What happens if you use these “too-good-to-be-true” deals?
- Microsoft Can Revoke the License: Your Office apps stop working. You get messages like “Product Deactivated” or “Your copy of Windows is not genuine.”
- You Lose Support and Updates: No updates. No security patches. No tech support.
- Your Data Might Be at Risk: Some shady sellers use cracked installers or dodgy activation scripts — which may include spyware, keyloggers, or malware. You could be handing over your banking info or passwords unknowingly.
- You Might Be Funding Crime: These keys often come from cybercrime operations, stolen cards, or money laundering schemes. That R150 may be ending up in the hands of a hacker.
According to Microsoft South Africa, “Counterfeit software often leads to security issues, data loss, and may support criminal organisations.”
So what should you do?
If you want to stay on the safe side:
- Buy directly from Microsoft or through authorised SA resellers like Delitech.
- Use the free online versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint at office.com.
- Consider Microsoft 365 Personal or Family, which comes with 1TB cloud storage and works across devices.
- Or look into LibreOffice if you just need the basics — it’s 100% legal and totally free.
Final thoughts
You might save R800 by buying one of these dodgy deals — but you’re gambling with your files, your software, your security, and your ethics. Plus, Microsoft will eventually catch up.
Sometimes, cheap is expensive. Rather buy smart, buy safe, and keep your PC — and conscience — clean.
