Spain is currently experiencing a massive rise in fraud cases and cybercrime. According to the new “State of Scams Report 2026” by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), around 77 per cent of adults in Spain were targeted by at least one scam attempt over the past year. This marks a significant increase compared with the previous year.
Spain Expat Press Editorial Team
by Marlon Gallego Bosbach
Particularly alarming is the fact that one in four victims is believed to have lost either money or personal data. Experts are warning of the growing sophistication of fraudsters, particularly through the use of artificial intelligence and so-called deepfake technologies.
Billions Lost Through Fraud Cases
According to the report, the financial damage caused by fraud offences in Spain has now reached around €6.65 billion. The average loss per victim was estimated at approximately €1,811.
Many of those affected did not fall victim to criminals just once. According to the study, around 46 per cent of victims stated that they had been targeted successfully by fraudsters on multiple occasions. Security experts view this as a clear warning sign, suggesting that scammers are deliberately focusing on individuals who have previously been manipulated successfully.
Fraud methods now range from classic phishing messages and fake bank notifications to sophisticated online scams involving artificial intelligence.
Psychological Consequences for Many Victims
The consequences are no longer limited to financial losses alone. Increasing numbers of victims are also reporting significant psychological distress.
According to the study, around 58 per cent of victims said the experience had negatively affected their mental health. Many reported stress, anxiety, sleep problems, or a general mistrust of digital services and online payments.
Family conflicts and feelings of shame also play a role for many victims. International studies further show that numerous people affected by fraud lose trust in digital communication in the long term.
Many Victims Do Not Report the Cases
Despite the high financial losses involved, most fraud cases are apparently never officially reported. According to the report, only four per cent of those affected informed the relevant authorities about the incident.
Instead, the majority of victims are more likely to speak with friends or family members than with the police or authorities. Experts see this as a major problem, as it means many perpetrators are rarely prosecuted.
In addition, many victims feel they are not receiving sufficient support from the authorities. According to the study, even among officially reported cases, only a small proportion are actually investigated further. Even fewer victims receive financial compensation or manage to recover their lost money.
Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Fraud Methods
Experts are particularly concerned about the growing use of artificial intelligence in fraud attempts. Criminals are increasingly using so-called deepfakes and AI-generated voices to deliberately deceive victims.
Fraudsters pose as banks, delivery companies, public authorities, or even family members. Using artificially generated voices or highly convincing messages, they attempt to build trust in order to obtain sensitive data or trick victims into transferring money.
European financial regulators are now explicitly warning about the growing threat posed by such AI-driven fraud schemes. In particular, manipulated videos, fake voice messages, and professionally designed phishing attacks are becoming increasingly difficult for many people to detect.
Banks Remain the Most Trusted Source of Information
Despite the growing wave of fraud, banks continue to enjoy the highest level of trust among many Spaniards when it comes to security. Almost one third of those surveyed said they place particular trust in warnings issued by banks or payment service providers.
At the same time, a clear majority supports stricter security measures. These include automatic warnings for suspicious transfers, additional identity checks, and the blocking of unusual transactions.
Many experts therefore believe that banks will increasingly be expected to take a more active role in protecting customers from modern fraud schemes.
Children and Teenagers Also Affected
The rise in cybercrime is no longer affecting adults alone. According to the report, 12 per cent of parents said that at least one of their children had already fallen victim to a scam.
Social networks, online games, and digital payment services are considered particularly high-risk areas for young users. Experts are therefore warning that children and teenagers need to be educated far more extensively about digital dangers.
Data Protection Problems Are Worsening the Situation
Alongside the growing wave of fraud, the number of data protection breaches in Spain is also continuing to rise. According to Spanish media reports, every citizen is now affected by several data leaks on average each year.
The Spanish Data Protection Agency has therefore already announced stricter measures against deepfakes, identity theft, and AI-based manipulation. At the same time, experts are calling for broader awareness campaigns and greater digital education.
Experts Advise Extra Caution
Security experts are currently advising consumers to exercise particular caution when dealing with unknown messages, phone calls, or payment requests. Emotional pressure tactics and supposedly urgent money transfers are considered typical warning signs of modern fraud schemes.
As artificial intelligence is making the methods used by criminals increasingly sophisticated, the fight against digital fraud in Spain is expected to become even more important in the years ahead.
