In total, criminals took £879.8 million via investment fraud in 2025 - working out to around £2.4 million each day.

During the same period, 34,673 people reported investment fraud to Report Fraud, the national reporting service that replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. This represents a 31% increase compared with the previous year. Officers say fraudsters are increasingly exploiting economic uncertainty, unstable markets and highly convincing online platforms to target victims.

The increase in reports is not solely due to rising levels of fraud, but also reflects when victims realise they have been deceived. Reports began to rise from March, peaking in July and September - times when many people review investments, move funds, or check returns ahead of the new financial year.

For many victims, it was only during these routine checks that they discovered the truth: the investments they had paid into did not exist. Average losses stood at £25,612 per person, often involving pensions or long-term savings.

Detective Superintendent Oliver Little from the City of London Police said:

“Investment fraud continues to have a devastating impact on victims, many of whom lose life‑changing amounts of money. Criminals are using professional‑looking websites, persuasive sales tactics and even cloned branding from real financial firms to appear legitimate.

“We’re urging the public to take their time, carry out proper checks and get independent financial advice before parting with any money.”

Fraud cases ranged from fake online trading platforms and bogus bond schemes to cryptocurrency scams and professional-looking adverts on social media featuring well-known figures. Reports also show that criminals are increasingly using AI-generated videos, deepfake endorsements and cloned websites to attract victims — reflecting wider developments in modern fraud techniques.

A further growing concern is “recovery fraud”. In these cases, criminals re-contact previous victims while pretending to be law enforcement, legal professionals or recovery specialists. They claim they can recover lost funds but instead charge upfront fees and vanish. Investigators describe this as one of the most exploitative tactics, as it targets victims for a second time.

While reports came from every police force area in the UK, the true scale may be even greater. Over a quarter of victims did not provide their location, making it harder to fully map the spread of cases. Older individuals, particularly those over 60, were most likely to report fraud, partly because they tend to hold larger savings or pension funds.

Officers have also noted a rise in so-called “finfluencers” on social media - often young men promoting high-risk trading, particularly in forex and rapid-turnover investments, while showcasing “easy money” and luxury lifestyles.

Although not all of these individuals are engaged in illegal activity, their content can create a misleading sense of legitimacy around high-risk investments. This can leave inexperienced followers more vulnerable to scammers who imitate the same style, language and promises.

As part of ongoing prevention efforts, the City of London Police is urging the public to take simple precautions.

Before investing, individuals should use the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) firm checker to verify whether a company or adviser is authorised. This tool, available on the FCA website, is one of the most effective ways to avoid cloned firms and fraudulent operators.

People are also advised to be wary of unsolicited messages, offers promising unusually high returns, or requests to keep investment opportunities confidential.

Anyone who suspects fraudulent activity should report it promptly via Report Fraud's reporting hub or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, reports should be made to Police Scotland by calling 101.

Concerns about suspicious firms or individuals can also be raised with the FCA through its consumer helpline on 0800 111 6768 or via the reporting form on its website.

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