A major new study from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reveals that AI-driven scams are succeeding at alarming speeds — with one in ten victims handing over money or sensitive data within just five minutes of first contact.
The research, which surveyed victims across multiple countries, found that nearly two-thirds (64.5%) believed AI tools played a role in the fraud attempts directed at them. In the UK specifically, 54% of respondents suspected criminals used deepfakes or synthetic voice technology to impersonate family members, friends, or legitimate organizations.
How Fast Do These Scams Work?
The data paints a sobering picture. More than half of UK victims completed payments or shared personal information within 30 minutes of initial contact. Over 12% did so in under five minutes. These aren’t slow, methodical cons — they’re rapid-fire operations designed to exploit urgency and trust.
Dr. Elisabeth Carter, a forensic linguist and criminologist at Kingston University London, explains the psychology: “Fraudsters use recognised contexts, familiar social settings and embedded linguistic norms to make victims feel their decision-making is rational and practical in the moment. What’s really happening is that they create false realities where those choices end up causing financial and psychological harm.”
The Multi-Platform Attack Strategy
Scammers are increasingly moving across multiple conversation platforms — 63% of incidents involved more than one platform. This cross-platform approach helps fraudsters maintain credibility while avoiding detection. The most common scams involved fake investment opportunities (40%), followed by bogus shipping alerts (38%) and impersonation schemes (35%).
Financial Impact Is Growing
UK victims lose an average of £458 per scam, with 9.1% reporting losses exceeding £1,000. Over a quarter (28%) experienced three or more scam attempts within six months. Millennials appear particularly vulnerable to investment-linked fraud, with 40% reporting exposure to fake financial schemes.
Marc Rivero, Lead Security Researcher at Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team, warns: “AI is accelerating the trend, helping scammers convincingly imitate brands, familiar voices, and personal relationships. Simply being aware is no longer sufficient protection. People need to recognize dangers earlier, before being pressured into quick decisions.”
What You Can Do
Security experts recommend combining healthy skepticism with technical safeguards. Use antivirus software capable of detecting malicious links in real time. Protect your credentials with a password manager. And crucially, slow down — the urgency scammers create is a trap, not a genuine emergency.
If something feels off, hang up. Call the person or organization back on a number you trust. Real emergencies don’t demand gift cards or cryptocurrency transfers. In the age of AI-powered scams, a few seconds of caution can save you thousands.
