Fraud across the UK reached unprecedented levels in 2025, with more than 444,000 cases recorded in the National Fraud Database (NFD), according to new findings from fraud prevention service Cifas.
The figure represents the highest annual total ever logged by the database and marks a 6% increase compared with 2024.
The scale of fraudulent activity continues to intensify, with Cifas members reporting more than 1,200 incidents every day. Despite the rising threat, organisations using the NFD were able to prevent an estimated £2.4bn in fraud losses. The report highlights that identity-related crimes remain the dominant threat, with 72% of all recorded cases linked to identity fraud or facility takeover.
The data underscores how criminals are increasingly exploiting stolen or compromised personal information as a gateway to financial crime. Advances in artificial intelligence and generative technologies are enabling criminals to produce convincing impersonations, synthetic identities and forged documents more quickly and at greater scale than before.
Fraud activity is also becoming more sophisticated and international in nature. Organised crime groups are operating across borders and targeting multiple industries simultaneously, complicating detection efforts and making coordinated responses more essential.
Cifas CEO Mike Haley said, “Our data and intelligence show how fraud is being industrialised, with AI accelerating crime that is increasingly digital, organised and international. Fraud must be treated as a national enforcement priority. Closing the gap requires decisive action, robust disruption of criminal networks, and greater sharing of cross-sector data and intelligence to stop fraud at the source.”
One area experiencing sustained growth is facility takeover, where criminals gain unauthorised control of existing accounts. More than 78,000 such cases were recorded in 2025, representing 18% of all filings in the National Fraud Database and a 6% rise year-on-year. The majority of incidents were linked to mobile phone products, online retail and personal credit cards, which together account for around 90% of takeover cases.
Unauthorised SIM swap incidents in particular rose sharply, increasing by 38% as criminals capitalise on the availability of stolen personal data and automated attack methods. Fraudsters are also increasingly deploying AI tools to improve phishing attempts and automate credential attacks, while adopting stealthier tactics such as disabling security alerts or gradually altering account details to avoid detection.
Identity fraud remains the single most prevalent category despite a slight decline in recorded cases. More than 242,000 incidents were reported in 2025, accounting for 54% of all fraud-risk cases logged in the database. Although this represents a 3% decrease from the previous year, the report suggests the drop reflects a shift in criminal tactics rather than a reduction in activity.
Notably, identity fraud involving bank accounts increased by 10%, with more than 63,000 cases recorded, while incidents linked to the insurance sector rose by 26%, exceeding 16,000 cases. Criminals are increasingly targeting telecom services and mobile phone products as a stepping stone to broader financial fraud.
Another significant trend is the sharp rise in misuse of facility cases. The database recorded more than 106,000 such incidents in 2025, representing a 43% surge compared with the previous year. These cases involve individuals misusing financial products such as bank accounts, credit cards and money transfer services.
More than 22,000 cases were also recorded under a newly introduced category covering money mule activity. Criminal networks continue to recruit individuals through social media using tactics such as job scams, business opportunities or offers to overpay for items on online marketplaces.
Cifas director of intelligence Stephen Dalton said, “Rising cases reflect both the scale of offending and improved reporting by organisations. Criminals are shifting to more subtle methods such as credential stuffing, SIM swaps, and gradual profile changes, to evade detection.
“We anticipate more use of AI to personalise attacks and build credible, long-term profiles – reinforcing the need for cross-sector collaboration to spot patterns earlier.”
Authorities say the scale of the challenge continues to grow. Nick Sharp, deputy director of fraud at the National Crime Agency (NCA), said fraud now represents nearly half of all crime in England and Wales.
Sharp said, “Fraud now makes up 45% of all crime in England and Wales and we are all too aware of the devastating harm it causes to victims. This is why it is recognised as a National Security and Serious Organised Crime risk in the UK.
“The NCA is continuing to strengthen its leadership and response to the threat of fraud, with convictions by UK law enforcement up 27% since 2022 and increasing examples of international engagement helping increase our ability to tackle the problem when it comes from overseas.
“Fraudscape continues to be an invaluable source of information and intelligence that helps us maximise our understanding of the threat and where we can best direct our operational efforts.”
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