This data comes from the latest research prepared by Yonder and commissioned by Ofcom. The report was commissioned to understand the attitudes towards online fraud, user journeys, response and outcomes to scams, as well as the emotional impact. 

Of the 2,097 respondents to the UK-based survey, impersonation fraud was the most commonly encountered at 51%. Following impersonation, counterfeit goods scams (42%), investment or ‘get rich quick’ scams (40%), and ransomware scams (37%), were widely experienced as well. 

The avenue most scams were delivered through was social media direct message, followed by email, and social media news feeds. Many participants felt that the platform or service held responsibility for the scams they fell for. 

One in four victims of a scam lost money as a result, and a third of respondents said the experience had an immediate negative effect on their mental health. 

“I went through an emotional rollercoaster. I was depressed, frustrated, when payments went out of my account I felt stressed and anxious. I was crying,” said one 47-year-old anonymous survey taker who lost £4,000. 

Respondents with ‘unmet needs’ were more likely to be scammed. Some unmet needs included lack of belonging, low self esteem, desire for love or connection, and a desire to be financially successful. 

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The study also found that the scamming process consists of four distinct stages.

The first was the initial engagement where the scammer contacts the victim. Next is the hook where the scammer will try to attract the victim with something that would benefit them. After hooking a victim, the scammer will try to impair the decision making of the victim, by ways such as giving them tight deadlines to work with or appealing to them emotionally. Finally is the transaction phase where the victim gives the scammer their money.

After being scammed 53% of respondents realised it right away, while 21% took a few hours and 22% took between a few days or longer to realise, the remaining couldn’t remember.

The study found that two in ten respondents who had been scammed took no action at all. The most common reason being they didn’t think it would help their situation, or they did not know who to inform.