In October 2025, you might have read our article about how AI contributed to £17.5 million lost to pension scams in 2024. Since then, advancing technology, specifically around AI, has meant that the scammers haven’t rested.
In June, the Guardian reported on a tech expert who lost £70,000 to scammers after failing to recognise a fraudulent phone call. Elsewhere, MoneySavingExpert highlights a scam that uses AI to appear like a genuine BBC article.
As scams evolve and fraudsters find ever more sophisticated ways to part UK consumers from their hard-earned money, keep reading for a look at the latest scam types to watch out for and how to keep yourself safe.
Scams are on the rise and evolving
Cyber safety on social media
Tom Honeyands has amassed more than 1.6 million subscribers to his “The Tech Chap” YouTube channel, but still fell victim to a fraud that cost him £70,000. He admits that he made fundamental errors after being caught unawares.
It was late at night, and he was jetlagged when scammers contacted Tom on a work trip to Tokyo. The scammer asked about a recent transaction that Tom hadn’t made, and then “confirmed” that his account had been compromised.
To “reset his security details”, the scammer claimed to be cancelling fraudulent payments using verification codes sent directly to Tom. When Tom passed those back to the hacker, he was actually verifying payments to new payees out of his account and directly to the criminals.
Over a few hours, Tom verified 12 payments to the tune of £70,000. He believes that his social media accounts and YouTube channel allowed the scammers to build a picture.
Videos showing his phone’s home screen would’ve highlighted a Lloyds banking app, while tagged locations showed his trip away. Scammers could then use the time difference to strike when Tom was jetlagged and appear to be from his own bank.
Common advice states that you shouldn’t share social posts when you’re travelling because potential burglars will know your house is empty. Tom told the Guardian, “Similarly, if you ever show pictures of your phone screen and it has your bank on it, then that’s one more bit of information for the criminals.”
AI clones and “deepfakes” of trusted celebrities
MoneySavingExpert highlights a scam that uses AI to appear like a genuine BBC article. The scam refers to a fake Question Time interaction between Martin Lewis and Andrew Bailey, governor of the Bank of England.
These “deepfakes” can plant celebrities into real-world settings and have them say anything they like through voice cloning.
In this particular Question Time scam – which has variants featuring the likes of Piers Morgan and Nigel Farage – clicking the article link is said to be able to help you achieve guaranteed returns from a small initial payout.
Alongside unnatural speech and mismatched lip movements, messages that sound out of character for the celebrity they purport to come from are often a big giveaway. And so is the adage: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
This scam claims to be able to turn around £200 into £30,000, “guaranteed”, and generally targets older internet users who might not be as savvy when it comes to cybercrime.
How to spot a scam and what to do next: 5 simple tips
1. Seeing is no longer believing
Firstly, don’t assume something you read, hear, or see is genuine. Voice cloning and deepfakes mean that words have been put into the mouths of the most trusted individuals. Always take a step back.
2. Look for secondary sources
If you see something that looks genuine – and tempting – always check for verification elsewhere. Google the offer to see if it has been reported as a scam or check directly with the company involved (if it is a legitimate, known firm) using a contact number you find yourself.
3. Check the URL and don’t click
Hovering over a link will show its destination URL. Although a report or ad might look like it’s taking you to the BBC news site, hovering over the link might reveal a non-BBC destination. This would have been the case with the Martin Lewis “ad” and is an immediate red flag.
If you are suspicious of a website ad or links you receive via email, don’t click.
4. Time-sensitive offers are a red flag
Any offer that looks to put time pressure on you could be a scam. A ticking clock is designed to increase your stress and stop you from thinking clearly.
Tom was told his account’s security had been hacked, while the Martin Lewis ad highlighted a get-rich-quick scheme.
5. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
Genuine investment opportunities will never offer “guaranteed” returns as investing carries inherent risk. These scams are often linked to high-risk or overseas investment that lacks the scrutiny of UK governance. Some “opportunities” won’t exist at all.
Get in touch
If you’re looking for an independent financial adviser in Milton Keynes or Olney, look no further. At Jane Smith Financial Planning, we’ve been helping clients for 30 years, so contact us at info@janesmithfinancial.com or call 01234 713131 to see what we can do for you.
Please note
This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
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