Ruth Helena Alves da Mota
Fraud has become one of the most widespread and damaging risks in today’s digital economy. As criminals adopt advanced technologies, the scale and complexity of scams continue to grow. Insights from INTERPOL and new consumer research from LSEG Risk Intelligence show that the impact reaches far beyond financial loss. Fraud is eroding trust, creating emotional harm and weakening confidence in digital channels worldwide.
- Unpack how the global fraud threat has evolved into a coordinated, technology driven criminal ecosystem
- Discover the human and systemic impact of fraud — from emotional harm to eroding trust in digital channels
Fraud has become one of the most widespread and damaging risks in today’s digital economy. As criminals adopt advanced technologies, the scale and complexity of scams continue to grow. Insights from INTERPOL and new consumer research from LSEG Risk Intelligence show that the impact now reaches far beyond financial loss. Fraud is eroding trust, creating emotional harm and weakening confidence in digital channels worldwide.
A fast escalating global crime
INTERPOL’s Global Financial Fraud Threat Assessment shows a significant rise in fraud activity. Fraud related Notices and Diffusions increased by 54% between 2024 and 2025, and the organisation supported more than 1,500 cases involving reported losses of USD 1.1 billion. Fraud is now among the top five global crime threats, often linked with cybercrime, money laundering and, in some cases, human trafficking.
Scam centres have developed into a global criminal infrastructure. Victims from almost 80 countries have been trafficked into compounds where they are forced to carry out online scams. These operations use industrialised scripts, multilingual teams and increasingly AI enabled tools to target people across borders at scale.
How consumers are experiencing the fraud threat
Fraud is no longer a distant issue. It is something people encounter every day. According to the global consumer fraud survey by LSEG Risk Intelligence, 71% of adults believe scams are increasing sharply. One in four has been personally targeted, one in three knows someone who has been scammed, and 42% of those targeted lost money – roughly one in nine adults worldwide.
Younger, digital first generations are experiencing the most sophisticated threats. More than one in five adults have encountered deepfakes or other AI generated content. These techniques often delay detection, with 15% of victims taking more than a year to realise they were scammed. Criminals are blending emotional manipulation with convincing digital environments, making their approaches more effective.
The emotional impact of fraud
Fraud causes significant emotional harm. Over half of victims (52%) report anger or frustration, while a third feel embarrassment or shame. These reactions are especially strong in the UK, US and Canada. For many, the impact leads to reduced trust in digital services, making it harder for financial institutions and other organisations to maintain confidence in their online channels. Older generations, though often exposed to fewer emerging scam types, feel the strongest emotional strain and are more likely to limit their use of digital services.
Technology is transforming the threat
INTERPOL identifies artificial intelligence as a major driver of new scam techniques. Criminals increasingly use deepfake as a service tools, voice cloning technologies and “agentic AI” systems capable of running entire scam operations automatically. Synthetic identity kits are also being used to impersonate real people with alarming accuracy.
At the same time, fraud as a service models are lowering barriers to entry. Phishing kits, fake trading platforms and AI enabled chatbots give even low skilled criminals the ability to run highly tailored, high volume scams.
Why coordinated action matters
Criminal networks collaborate across borders and adapt quickly. Tackling fraud effectively requires a similar level of coordination across public and private sectors. Key priorities include:
- real time intelligence sharing between industries and jurisdictions
- regulatory frameworks that address AI enabled scams and virtual asset misuse
- rapid stop payment tools, such as INTERPOL’s I GRIP system
- enhanced investigative capabilities, including skills to detect AI generated content
- clearer public education, particularly as only 13% of consumers fully understand the protections or reimbursement processes available to them
Driving a stronger global response together
At LSEG Risk Intelligence, we bring together data, technology and international partnerships to help strengthen global resilience to fraud. Our work with organisations such as INTERPOL and the Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime supports more effective intelligence sharing, joint operational activity and a clearer view of emerging criminal methods.
The global fraud threat is evolving rapidly, and our collective response must do the same. By working together across sectors and using technology responsibly, we can stay ahead of changing tactics and help build a safer financial system.
We continue to support this shared effort through our partnerships with law enforcement, industry groups and international organisations. By contributing insight through working groups, joint workshops and operational information sharing, we aim to help protect consumers, disrupt criminal networks and strengthen trust in the digital economy.
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