15 October 2025
Video: Europe is facing a growing scam crisis
Video: Europe is facing a growing scam crisis
15 October 2025With investment fraud booming across the continent and AI ratcheting up the ante, authorities struggle to contain the tidal wave of Europe's billion-euro scam business.
Last year, Europeans lost an estimated €4 billion to online investment fraud. In several countries, law enforcement agencies report that financial scams are now outpacing traditional crimes such as drug and arms trafficking. The rapid spread of AI has only intensified the problem — with scam ads, deepfakes, and digital trading platforms being used to deceive consumers, resulting in major financial losses.
Investigate Europe and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) have joined forces with media partners across the continent to expose the key players allegedly driving these scams, the social media platforms that allow them to thrive, and the European and national regulators struggling to respond.
Discover our Scam Europe investigation.
IJ4EU (Investigative Journalism for Europe) provided funding support for the investigation.
Investigate Europe and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) have joined forces with media partners across the continent to expose the key players allegedly driving these scams, the social media platforms that allow them to thrive, and the European and national regulators struggling to respond.
Discover our Scam Europe investigation.
IJ4EU (Investigative Journalism for Europe) provided funding support for the investigation.