Messaging scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated as criminals use AI to imitate trusted people, familiar brands, and everyday conversations. New research suggests these schemes are succeeding with alarming speed, often convincing victims to hand over money within minutes, according to a recent report by Tech Radar.
Nearly two-thirds of scam victims globally, or 64.5%, believe AI tools played a role in the fraud attempts. In the UK, 54% of respondents suspected criminals used deepfakes or synthetic voices to impersonate relatives, friends, or legitimate organizations.
More than 1 in 10 victims completed payments or shared sensitive information within five minutes of initial contact, demonstrating how rapidly these operations unfold. Researchers also found 63% of incidents moved across multiple communication platforms.
The most common scams involved investment opportunities (40%), followed by fake delivery alerts (38%) and brand impersonation schemes (35%). Victims in the UK lose an average of £458.45 per scam, with millennials being particularly vulnerable to investment-related fraud. Security specialists recommend combining caution with technical safeguards, including antivirus software and password managers, to combat these evolving tactics.
Source: Tech Radar
Kelley Damore is Chief Content Officer at CyberRisk Alliance, where she leads content strategy across the company’s digital brands, research, communities and live events serving CISOs and security practitioners. At CyberRisk Alliance, she is focused on delivering 365-day engagement, trusted journalism and actionable insights to help security leaders navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape.
Kelley Damore is Chief Content Officer at CyberRisk Alliance, where she leads content strategy across the company’s digital brands, research, communities and live events serving CISOs and security practitioners. At CyberRisk Alliance, she is focused on delivering 365-day engagement, trusted journalism and actionable insights to help security leaders navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape.
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