In what officials are calling a “scamdemic,” Scottish authorities have issued a stark warning after a sharp surge in fraudulent schemes led to losses exceeding ₹9.1 crore (£860,000) in the first quarter of 2025 alone.
Police Scotland Flags Sharp Rise in Deceptive Online Schemes
Police Scotland revealed that more than 2,800 reports of fraud were recorded between January and March, an increase of nearly 13% compared to the same period last year. Online scams—including phishing emails, fake investment opportunities, and impersonation fraud—were the most prevalent.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie urged citizens to remain vigilant, particularly as criminals increasingly target the elderly and those living alone. “Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and many victims are unaware they’ve been tricked until it’s too late,” Ritchie said. “This is not just about money. These crimes deeply affect the victims’ mental well-being and trust in society.”
Elderly and Isolated Citizens Targeted Most Heavily
One prevalent tactic involved fraudsters posing as bank representatives or government officials. Victims were often coerced into transferring large sums to “secure accounts” to protect against supposed threats. In one instance, a 72-year-old woman in Edinburgh lost ₹24.3 lakh (£23,000) after being duped by a scammer posing as a National Crime Agency officer.
Community safety experts noted that social media platforms and dating sites have also become hotbeds for deception. Romance scams, in particular, saw a marked increase, with emotional manipulation used to extract funds from victims under the guise of relationship-building.
The Scottish Government has committed to increasing public awareness through a national media campaign. It will also work with telecom providers and social media companies to limit scammer access to communication channels.
Consumer watchdogs are calling for banks to implement stronger safeguards, such as transaction delays and AI-powered fraud detection, to prevent unauthorized transfers.
Officials encourage anyone who suspects a scam to report it immediately to Police Scotland or contact Action Fraud.
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.