Cyber Monday has arrived, and UK consumers are being urged to exercise caution as online fraud rises. Experts at anti-fraud company SmartSearch say that the seasonal surge in online shopping creates ideal conditions for scammers.
Last year, shoppers in Britain spent over £9 billion during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with payment transactions reaching up to 400 per second. According to Action Fraud, more than £11.5 million was lost to online crime between November 2023 and January 2024, an increase from £10.6 million the previous year. In the first six months of 2025, over 80,000 people were victims of purchase scams, losing £53 million. The typical victim of investment fraud now loses about £15,000.
Stuart Morris, chief technology and product officer at SmartSearch, explained that even experienced shoppers can fall prey. He described Cyber Monday as “a mass test of human impulse,” noting that fraudsters take advantage of hurried decision-making.
Morris outlined seven scams shoppers should be alert to:
Phantom retailers. Fake websites offer irresistible discounts and glowing customer reviews before disappearing without delivering purchases. Morris said such deals often look too good to be true and usually are.
Phishing emails. Messages claiming delayed orders, suspended accounts or account upgrades often direct recipients to near-perfect copies of legitimate sites. Morris warned that urgency is the main tactic used by scammers.
Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud. Fraudsters convince victims to send money to a “safe account.” Morris called such requests entirely fictional and advised consumers to hang up immediately.
Social media marketplaces. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are used to sell designer goods or electronics at suspiciously low prices. Often the items do not exist, and sellers vanish after payment.
AI-powered scams. Scammers now use deepfake audio and AI-generated videos to impersonate customer service or company executives. Morris said overly polished professionalism is often a warning sign.
Crypto and investment scams. Fake investment platforms show rapid gains, but withdrawals fail, leaving victims out of pocket.
Account takeover. Weak passwords or a single click on a suspicious email can allow criminals to make purchases with stolen credentials. Experts recommend strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
Morris advised shoppers to remember a simple rule: “A real bargain can withstand five minutes of scepticism; a scam cannot.” He added that taking a moment to verify sellers and think before clicking links can make Cyber Monday both safe and enjoyable.
