Investment fraud losses are rising sharply

New figures from City of London Police reveal that £879.8 million was lost to investment fraud in 2025 – equating to £1,675 every minute or £2.4 million every day. Reports rose by 31% year‑on‑year, with nearly 35,000 victims.

Fraudsters are exploiting economic uncertainty, volatile markets and increasingly sophisticated online platforms, including cloned websites with professional‑looking investment opportunities. Average losses per victim exceeded £25,000, often wiping out pensions or long‑term savings.

A stark reminder fraud prevention, investor education and strong controls remain critical – particularly as scams become harder to detect and more technologically convincing.