UK Fraud Losses Reach £1.3 Billion Amid Rising APP Scams

In 2025, UK fraudsters stole nearly £1.3 billion from victims, with a significant increase in authorised push payment (APP) scams. UK Finance reported a rise of 11% in scam cases, totaling 4.06 million, with investment scams alone causing £576.4 million in losses, a 19% increase. Social media platforms are implicated in facilitating these scams, with two-thirds of cases starting online. Despite banks being mandated to refund victims up to £85,000, they only refunded 88% of eligible losses. Ruth Ray from UK Finance emphasized the need for stronger regulations on tech firms to combat this rising threat. The report highlights that APP scams are increasingly sophisticated, often using social engineering techniques to manipulate victims. The financial sector is under pressure to enhance protections while tech companies face scrutiny for their role in these scams.

Key Points: • UK fraud losses reached £1.3 billion in 2025, with 4.06 million scam cases reported. • Investment scams accounted for £576.4 million in losses, marking a 19% increase. • UK Finance calls for stricter regulations on tech platforms to combat rising APP fraud.