A significant number of people in the European Union (EU) have been affected by online fraud – ranging from financial loss through fake shopping sites or fraudulent investment schemes to compromise of their personal data. However, fewer than half of victims report such incidents to the police or other services. Online fraud affects victims in various ways: some seek to warn others by sharing experiences, while others suffer emotional distress or ill health.
- One in four people in the EU fell victim to online fraud in their lifetime. 24 % of respondents have been deceived - via instant messages or emails - into transferring money, making payments or disclosing their own personal data.
- The most prevalent type of fraud is fake online shopping, whereby fraudsters offer goods or services that are paid for but never arrive (experienced by 35 % of victims). The second most common type of fraud is impersonation scams (between 25 -22 % of victims). In impersonation scams, fraudsters pretend to be a family member (experienced by 25 % of victims), a business or work contact (24 % of victims), or a representative of a bank (22 % of victims). The third most common type of fraud is investment scams (experienced by 20 % of victims).
- Among those who experienced one or more instances of online fraud, over one in three (37 %) fell victim to more than one type of fraud in their lifetime.
- Only 15 % of victims report the fraud to the police. Overall, 44 % of victims reported the fraud to different organisations, including the police, banks, online platforms and telecom companies.
- 35 % of victims sought to warn others by sharing their experiences.
- One in three victims (34 %) changed their online behaviour post-fraud, while 28 % of victims said they had a loss of trust.