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    Scam trends to watch out for in 2025

    11:06, 22/1/2025

    Home » News & Knowledge » Scam trends to watch out for in 2025

    2024 saw fraudsters using the latest trends and technology to make their scams more convincing and target more people.

     

    As we move into 2025, it is anticipated that this year will be no different. We share the most anticipated scam trends to look out for in 2025.

     

    Scam trends

     

    1) AI-powered scams

    The best example of scammers using new technology comes from the uprise of artificial intelligence and from this, AI-powered scams. The potential to create mis-leading text, photos and videos to impersonate someone genuine can make any existing scams much more believable and opens to door to many new opportunities for scammers.

    Scammers may use AI-generated text and images to create fake websites, advertisements on social media, fake personal documents and fake profile pictures for social media profiles.

    AI-generated videos and voice cloning is also being created to promote fake products, investments or services.

     

    2) Hacking

    Hacking is when scammers will attempt, and may be successful, at stealing your personal data while spreading their scam further through already hacked accounts.

    Fraudsters set traps to access your personal data via your email or social media accounts thus breaching your data.

    It is highly anticipated that in 2025 seeking a person’s personal data will be huge for scammers buying and selling on the dark web. AI tools appear to be assisting scammers with finding new ways of exploiting weaknesses in systems and launching cyber attacks.

     

    3) Spear-phishing

    2024 saw an increase of scams involving spear-phishing. This tactic is where fraudsters create personalised scam messages after gathering enough information from you.

    These stem from data breaches and information people publish on social media accounts and can provide key information for scammers to get the right information to build a strong picture about you.

    After they believe they ‘know’ you, they will then contact you containing personal data or personalised information such as your name, address, date of birth making their communication seem much more legitimate.

     

    4) Crypto and investment

    Crypto and investment scams are at an all-time high.

    Crypto scams have taken many different forms over the past few years, including scams involving fake prizes, contests, giveaways or early investment opportunities.

    Scammers tend to impersonate celebrities or popular trusted websites to lure victims into sending them money, sharing log in information or “investing” in a project.

    Crypto exchange accounts have also been the target of OTP attack techniques to prevent you from accessing your crypto while a scammer drains your account. An OTP attack is when a scammer uses a one-time password to trick people into sharing authentication codes.

    Crypto scams can also happen when investors buy into an online currency, allowing it’s value to rise before the scammers sell their own holdings and crash the market leaving victims in the green but are actually left with nothing.

    It is essential that investors thoroughly research any online currency before they purchase, do not rush into making any quick decisions, and are best to stick to trusted platforms when doing so.

     

    5) Romance scams

    Romance scams are very popular and are also another example of how scammers can use artificial intelligence to luring victims into a false relationship.

    Scammers will often pose as someone else or create a fake identity on dating apps and social media platforms to meet victims and form a relationship with them. Eventually, once the relationship has formed and become stronger, the scammer will usually ask for money, or give out investment ‘tips’ as part of their scam.

    Many romance scams start with messages on social media or dating apps and anyone can receive that first initial message. Some scammers may seek to form a platonic rather than a romantic relationship.

     

    6) Employment scams

    Scammers who use employment or recruitment target people who’ve been out of work. These are usually very appealing, often too good to be true, offering extremely flexible working hours and permanent working from home.

    There are several tactics fraudsters use such as taking a slower approach with a full interview process, giving the impression the process is genuine.

    Other scammers may not draw out the process and may straight away promise guaranteed or easy income. In some cases, a fake employer may send a large payment for the work and asks their ‘employee’ to send the extra back. This scam is popular and is known as an overpayment scam.

    In some cases, ‘employees’ are hired to repeat simple tasks online whereby they may be able to withdraw small amounts at first. The scam then occurs when employees are asked to pay to increase their earning rate and/or deposit money to make larger withdrawals.

     

    Further reading

    Five steps to take if you realise you have been scammed – Oakwood Solicitors

    Woman sent £697,000 to scammer, convinced she was dating Brad Pitt – Oakwood Solicitors

     

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    Meet the author

    Stephanie Walker joined Oakwood Solicitors in October 2016. Stephanie is Deputy Head of the Finance Litigation Team and works closely with the Head of the Department. In July 2022 Stephanie assumed…

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