Report by F-Secure
Scam Intelligence & Impacts Report 2025
Key Findings
13% of the analyzed AI-enhanced scams used AI to generate scam bait.
Globally, only around 7% of scams are reported to authorities.
Just 2.6% of scams are reported to authorities in the United States.
70% of consumers are open to using standalone security apps for security.
47% of consumers worry about gambling online.
12% of individuals experienced no consequences following a scam because they were protected by their security solution.
15% of consumers learn about scam trends from a security service provider.
7% of consumers stay informed about trending scams and online threats through the government.
44% of people say they would report a scam to local police.
5.5% of the analyzed AI-enhanced scams used AI for victim location.
76% of the analyzed AI-enhanced scams used AI to improve the credibility of bait, including AI-generated text, photos, audio/voice cloning, and video/deepfake video.
In Vietnam, 90% of respondents were scammed in 2024.
In 89% of the analyzed sample of AI-enhanced scams, AI was used for content generation.
In the Netherlands, scam reporting to authorities estimates range from 5% to 19%.
64% of adults aged 25-34 years old experienced cyber crime.
23% of people say they would report a scam to a national agency.
24% of scam victims downplayed or ignored the incident.
64% of adults aged 18-24 years old experienced cyber crime.
Scam victimization in Germany rose from 28% to 32%.
3% of consumers stay informed about trending scams and online threats through 'Other' sources.
50% of global consumers now say they are willing to pay for scam protection.
50% of consumers worry about using online dating apps.
49% of consumers worry about cryptocurrency exchange and trading.
1% of consumers stay informed about trending scams and online threats through radio.
A total of $40.9 billion was received by illicit crypto addresses in 2024.
24% of people say they would report a scam to friends or family.
25% of people say they would would report a scam to their bank.
There has been an average annual growth of 25% in illicit activity since 2020.
Only 7% of scams are reported globally, largely due to victim blaming and feelings of shame.
53% of consumers aged 35-44 years old are willing to pay for scam protection.
Just 5% of burglary victims experience victim blaming.
55% of adults aged 35-44 years old experienced cyber crime.
Since 2020, annual estimates of illicit crypto activity have increased by an average of 25%.
36% of those subjected to image-based sexual abuse report blame.
Among scam victims, 22% lost money.
Scam victimization in Sweden rose from 35% to 42%.
Among scam victims, 17% lost time.
27% of individuals whose online bank accounts have been hacked experience victim blaming.
Among scam victims, 11% lost personal information.
Scam victimization in Finland rose from 25% to 33%.
69% of people believe they can spot a scam, but 43% of them still fell victim in the past year.
Scam rates doubled in the USA from 2024 to 2025.
90% of respondents reported victimization following a scam.
45% of adults aged 45-54 years old experienced cyber crime.
Scam victimization in the UK rose from 24% to 45%.
1% of scam victims reported reputational damage.
15% of consumers turn to their bank or insurer to learn about scam trends.
41% of consumers aged 65-74 years old are willing to pay for scam protection.
12% of consumers speak to friends or family to learn about scam trends.
12% of consumers rely on social media to learn about scam trends.
59% of consumers aged 25-34 years old are willing to pay for scam protection.
56% of consumers aged 18-24 years old are willing to pay for scam protection.
49% of consumers aged 45-54 years old are willing to pay for scam protection.
42% of consumers aged 55-64 years old are willing to pay for scam protection.
12% of consumers admit they don’t get scam information from any source at all.
5.5% of the analyzed AI-enhanced scams used AI to contact and engage with victims.
In Vietnam, the figure for willingness to pay for scam protection climbs to 84%.
34% of adults aged 55-64 years old experienced cyber crime.
Individuals aged 18–34 face more than double the scam risk of adults aged 65–74.
The true total for illicit crypto activity for 2024 could approach $51 billion.
9% of consumers stay informed about trending scams and online threats through online news.
Scam victimization in the USA rose from 31% to 62%.
Adults aged 18 to 34 are more than twice as likely to experience cyber crime (64%) compared to those aged 65 to 74 (28%).
50% of consumers are willing to pay for scam protection, especially younger adults who expect it from service providers.
43% of individuals confident they could spot a scam still fell victim in the past 12 months.
28% of adults aged 65-74 years old experienced cyber crime.
5% of scams are reported to authorities in the UK.
9% of scam victims reported stress.
5% of scam victims reported data loss.
67% of people believe they can spot a scam.
4% of consumers stay informed about trending scams and online threats through TV.
80% of consumers are open to using banking or payment apps for security.
71% of consumers are open to using telco provider apps for security.
2% of consumers stay informed about trending scams and online threats through newspapers.
8% of consumers stay informed about trending scams and online threats through an Internet service provider.