tech
March 12, 2026
AI scams drove UK reports of fraud to record 444,000 last year
Criminals using artificial intelligence tools to take over mobile, bank and online shopping accounts, says Cifas
TL;DR
- Record 444,000 fraud cases reported in the UK last year, a 6% increase.
- AI technology is increasingly used by criminals for large-scale deception and account takeovers.
- Common targets for account takeovers include mobiles, online shopping, and personal credit cards.
- Criminals are using "fraud as a service" kits and AI-generated synthetic identities to commit crimes.
- Identity fraud, where data is stolen to impersonate victims, is a major type of scam.
- Over 22,000 cases of money muling were reported.
- Fraud constitutes over 40% of all crime in the UK.
- Consumer confidence in spotting AI-enabled scams is low, with only 36% feeling capable.
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