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Crime·P Space·Evidence-backed problem·Published 2026-07-12

AI scams drove UK reports of fraud to record 444,000 last year

Criminals are increasingly exploiting AI technology to take over people’s mobile, banking and online shopping accounts, the UK’s leading anti-fraud body has warned. Last year, a record number of scams were reported to the national fraud database, fuelled by AI, which allows for large-scale deception on “industrialised” levels, according to Cifas, the fraud prevention organisation. Its report showed 444,000 cases of fraud were reported by its members last year – a 6% increase on 2024. The tactics of criminals are sh

TRV-2026-0081JournalismPermanent record — cite & verify
AI scams drove UK reports of fraud to record 444,000 last year
The quick read

Criminals are increasingly exploiting AI technology to take over people’s mobile, banking and online shopping accounts, the UK’s leading anti-fraud body has warned. Last year, a record number of scams were reported to the national fraud database, fuelled by AI, which allows for large-scale deception on “industrialised” levels, according to Cifas, the fraud prevention organisation.

Its report showed 444,000 cases of fraud were reported by its members last year, a 6% increase on 2024. “Our assessment suggests that online fraud will become ever more sophisticated, supercharged by AI-powered impersonation, synthetic media and accessible fraud-as-a-service tools that are likely to ensure that identity fraud and account takeover remain major threats,” Haley said.

Main points
  • Criminals are increasingly exploiting AI technology to take over people’s mobile, banking and online shopping accounts, the UK’s leading anti-fraud body has warned.
  • Last year, a record number of scams were reported to the national fraud database, fuelled by AI, which allows for large-scale deception on “industrialised” levels, according to Cifas, the fraud prevention organisation.
  • Its report showed 444,000 cases of fraud were reported by its members last year, a 6% increase on 2024.
Problem

“Our assessment suggests that online fraud will become ever more sophisticated, supercharged by AI-powered impersonation, synthetic media and accessible fraud-as-a-service tools that are likely to ensure that identity fraud and account takeover remain major threats,” Haley said.

The rundown

Its report showed 444,000 cases of fraud were reported by its members last year, a 6% increase on 2024. The tactics of criminals are shifting towards account takeovers, where they take control using stolen data and make unauthorised transactions.

Sources

The debate