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

Date:
Sun, 21 Jun 2026 08:05:00 +0000

Description:
AI-powered scams are tricking victims faster than ever, with many losing
money within minutes through convincing fake identities.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Nearly two-thirds of victims believe AI tools enabled their fraud experience One in ten victims handed
over money within just five minutes Scammers moved across multiple platforms in 63% of incidents Messaging scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated
as criminals use AI to imitate trusted people, familiar brands, and everyday conversations.

New research from Kaspersky suggests these schemes are succeeding with alarming speed, often convincing victims to hand over money within minutes. The findings indicate that digital experience alone may no longer provide reliable protection against modern fraud attempts. Latest Videos From Watch full video here: 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. You may like Generative AI has reduced fraud preparation time from 16 hours to under 5 minutes New study warns over half of Americans hit by fraud in 2025 5 scams you need to be aware of this year - and how to ensure you don't fall for them

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. Are you a pro? Subscribe
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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, followed by fake delivery alert at 38% and 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. What to read next AI-generated threats are hitting businesses harder than ever - do you know what to look out for? The vast majority of phishing attacks are now generated by AI, experts warn AI
security scams: How to spot the signs, and not fall for this growing menace

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 Marc Rivero, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky's Global Research and Analysis Team.

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. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/simply-being-aware-is-no-longer-suffici ent-protection-security-experts-warn-of-ai-boosted-scam-campaigns-that-can-tri ck-even-the-smartest-victims


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