'Simply being aware is no longer sufficient protection' - Security experts warn of AI-boosted scam campaigns that can trick even the smartest victims

AI-powered scams are becoming faster and more convincing

The study found that nearly two-thirds of scam victims globally, or 64.5%, believed AI tools played a role in the fraud attempts directed at them. In the United Kingdom, 54% of respondents suspected criminals used deepfakes or synthetic voices to impersonate relatives, friends, or legitimate organizations, allowing scammers to create convincing scenarios that closely resemble genuine interactions and trusted relationships.

According to the research, more than half of UK victims completed payments or shared sensitive information within 30 minutes of initial contact. More than 1 in 10 victims, representing 12.2%, did so within 5 minutes, demonstrating how rapidly these operations unfold.

Researchers also found nearly two-thirds (63%) of incidents moved across multiple communication platforms, helping fraudsters maintain credibility while avoiding suspicion. The most common scams involved:

• Investment opportunities, affecting 40% of respondents
• Fake delivery alerts, at 38%
• Brand impersonation schemes, at 35%

Dr. Elisabeth Carter, forensic linguist and criminologist at Kingston University London, said fraudsters create situations that appear entirely reasonable at the time.

"Fraudsters use recognised contexts, familiar social settings and embedded linguistic norms to make victims feel their decision-making is rational and reasonable in the moment," Carter explained. "What is actually happening is that they construct false realities in which those decisions end up causing financial and psychological harm."

Financial losses continue to grow as reporting remains low

The financial consequences extend beyond isolated incidents, particularly during a period when many households already face economic pressures. Kaspersky found that victims in the UK lose an average of £458.45 per scam, while 9.1% reported losses exceeding £1,000, with more than a quarter (28%) saying they experienced three or more scam attempts within six months.

Researchers noted that millennials were especially vulnerable to investment-related fraud, with 40% reporting exposure to financial opportunity schemes. The study also found over half (52%) of all scams occurred during the previous five months, suggesting the problem continues to accelerate rather than stabilize.

Marc Rivero, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky's Global Research and Analysis Team, warned that criminal groups are operating at an unprecedented scale.

"AI is accelerating the trend, helping scammers convincingly imitate brands, familiar voices, and personal relationships," said Rivero. "Simply being aware is no longer sufficient protection. People need to recognise risks earlier, before being pressured into hasty decisions."

Security specialists recommend combining caution with technical safeguards, including antivirus software capable of detecting malicious links in real time. They also encourage stronger credential protection through a password manager and broader awareness of evolving scam tactics.