The 2024-2026 Fraud Threat Reports

We monitor and analyse emerging fraud trends and the tactics behind them, beyond phishing and smishing attacks - how these risks affect the global threat landscape, and the latest techniques used by threat actors to impersonate global brands and organisations.

Coverage: AI, SMS, Email, Web, Phone, QR, Social, Brand impersonation

Fraud Threats

Emerging Threats 2024-2026

FEB 2026 – APR 2026: FRAUD THREAT LANDSCAPE (LATEST BRIEFING)

Analysis: Fraud activity this quarter intensified across seven distinct typologies, with threat actors exploiting law enforcement authority, AI-generated content, major cultural events and digital service infrastructure. Losses range from low-value smishing attacks to compromise identity to six-figure losses over many months. 

FRAUD CAMPAIGN THEMES:

• Police and authority impersonation surging globally, with victims coerced into cash transfers and card handovers across 12+ countries
• Courier fraud operating as a coordinated extraction layer alongside police impersonation, targeting elderly victims at home
• Fake ticket and event fraud escalating around major cultural moments via third-party resale platforms and social media
• Fake QR codes placed over legitimate parking, council and traffic signage to redirect victims to spoofed payment portals
• Insurance fraud evolving into sophisticated spoof application schemes operating at national scale
• Vehicle, parking and traffic smishing campaigns impersonating motoring and government authorities across multiple jurisdictions
• Job and recruitment fraud using AI-generated interviews, stolen recruiter identities and fake portals to harvest credentials

• IMPERSONATED BRANDS/ORGANISATIONS: FBI, ICE, Metropolitan Police, Scotland Yard, Northamptonshire Police, Nottinghamshire Police, Norfolk Police, Vancouver Police, NZ Police, DVLA, DMV (multiple US states), Iowa DOT, Idaho ITD, Wandsworth Council, Apple (iCloud), Google (Forms), PayPal, Avast, Booking.com, DPD, Coachella, FIFA
• CHANNELS/VECTORS: Phone calls (vishing), SMS (smishing), QR codes, Social media, Email, AI-generated video, Fake web portals, Physical courier, In-person impersonation

FRAUD RISK THREAT REPORT - SUMMARY:

Fraud Intelligence Quarterly Report: Five Emerging Fraud Trends Reshaping the Threat Landscape

DOWNLOAD FULL FRAUD RISK THREAT REPORT & ANALYSIS:

• Fraud Intelligence Quarterly Pack (Feb 26 - Apr 26) - May 2026 Release
  

HISTORICAL THREAT SUMMARIES

Threat Landscape Tactical Analysis

NOV 2025 – JAN 2026: FRAUD THREAT LANDSCAPE (LATEST BRIEFING)

Analysis: Fraud activity escalated in scale and sophistication this quarter, driven by impersonation, social engineering and authority-based deception across digital and physical channels. Detection is often delayed by weeks or months, increasing customer harm and reputational exposure.

FRAUD CAMPAIGN THEMES:

• Romance fraud escalating, including impersonation narratives and AI-enabled deception

• Courier fraud rising, with victims coached to withdraw cash or leave cards for collection

• Identity theft calls via phone/WhatsApp impersonating trusted services to steal personal and bank details

• Authority impersonation (police/officials + celebrity impersonation) used to accelerate trust and conversion

• Mass-scale SMS/email fraud impersonating parking services, government and councils — confusing residents and motorists

• Multi-channel delivery fraud rising: courier-journey phishing, QR redirection, and parcel compromise

• IMPERSONATED BRANDS/ORGANISATIONS: HMRC, DVLA, NHS, Police, Councils (Herefordshire, Derry, Elmbridge, Wrexham, Wolverhampton), DPD, John Lewis, Southern Water, BT, Argos, SharePoint

• CHANNELS/VECTORS: SMS, Email, Phone calls, Gen AI, WhatsApp, Social media, Web, QR codes