Latest news with #2025GlobalPrimeDayScamsStudy
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Business Standard
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
AI-powered scams target Prime Day 2025 shoppers as online fraud surges
Cybercriminals are deploying artificial intelligence to create increasingly sophisticated scams targeting Prime Day shoppers, with security firm McAfee identifying over 36,000 fraudulent Amazon websites and 75,000 impersonation text messages designed to steal personal and financial information. The scale of deception coincides with heightened shopping activity in India, where 96 per cent of consumers plan to shop online during Prime Day 2025, according to McAfee's 2025 Global Prime Day Scams Study. Despite 97 per cent of Indian shoppers planning to take safety precautions, 71 per cent express greater concern about AI-generated scams during major retail events. The technology is enabling scammers to create more convincing fraudulent schemes, including deepfake videos of influencers appearing to endorse products and fake Amazon notification texts that mimic legitimate delivery, refund, and billing alerts. These messages are designed with urgent language to pressure recipients into clicking malicious links before verifying their authenticity. 'Prime Day is a time of excitement for Indian shoppers, but it has also become a prime target for scammers using AI to create hyper-personalised, convincing attacks that push people to click before they think,' said Pratim Mukherjee, senior director of engineering, McAfee. Hot spot India's vibrant online shopping landscape is both a lucrative market for retailers and a hunting ground for scammers. Thirty-nine per cent of people say they or someone they know has seen or received a deepfake scam (involving deepfake content or a fake celebrity endorsement) during a major sale event like Prime Day. Alarmingly, among those affected, some reported losing more than Rs 40,000 to such scams. Additionally, 81 per cent of consumers report receiving suspicious messages, including 'limited-time deal' scams (48 per cent), bogus delivery updates (31 per cent), and fake discount codes or flash sale offers (28 per cent). Thirty-three per cent of consumers say the fear of scams has stopped them from completing purchases, highlighting the urgent need for smarter protection tools during major sale events like Prime Day. Scammed Ninety-six per cent of Indians say they shop online, especially for clothes and electronics. While older adults (65+) tend to be more cautious, younger shoppers are far more likely to take risks on unfamiliar brands — especially on social media. Thirty-two per cent of 18–34-year-olds say they frequently see ads from unfamiliar retailers and are willing to buy from them if the deal looks good. Younger shoppers (18–24 and 25–34) report the highest scam exposure, with 17 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively, saying they have been scammed during Prime Day or other major sale events. Scam rates decline with age, bottoming out at just 5 per cent among adults 65+, who are more cautious and reluctant to buy online. One in five people (20 per cent) who fell victim to an online scam during Prime Day or another major retail event did not tell anyone, largely due to feelings of embarrassment and psychological distress. This highlights that the risks of online scams extend beyond financial loss, impacting shoppers' confidence and emotional well-being. Ninety-three per cent of shoppers report encountering ads from unfamiliar retailers on social media during big sale events, emphasising the growing need for caution and proactive protection. Twenty-seven per cent of shoppers say they plan to shop less during Prime Day 2025 due to fears of scams, as well as the 21 per cent who are worried about the safety of their financial and personal data.
NDTV
09-07-2025
- Business
- NDTV
AI-Powered Scams Surge Ahead Of Amazon Prime Day 2025, Warns McAfee
New Delhi: A new report from cybersecurity firm McAfee has revealed a sharp rise in AI-enhanced shopping scams targeting Prime Day shoppers. The 2025 Global Prime Day Scams Study by McAfee Labs has identified more than 36,000 fake Amazon websites and over 75,000 scam texts impersonating the retailer. In India, where 96 per cent of consumers plan to shop online during the event, 71 per cent have expressed concern over AI-enabled fraud, the study has claimed. While many shoppers take precautions, deepfake influencers, urgent refund notifications and spoof delivery messages are emerging as common threats. "Prime Day is a time of excitement... but it has also become a prime target for scammers using AI to create hyper-personalised, convincing attacks," said Pratim Mukherjee, Senior Director of Engineering at McAfee. "Indian shoppers... are increasingly falling prey to scams driven by urgency and persuasion." Some of the findings include: 39% of consumers have encountered deepfake scams around major sale events, often featuring fake celebrity endorsements. Many victims lost more than Rs 40,000 81% of shoppers received suspicious messages such as "limited-time deals" (48%), bogus delivery updates (31%) and fake discount codes (28%) Younger consumers (18-24) are most at risk, reporting scam exposure rates of 17%, compared with just 5% among those aged 65 and above The report warns that nearly one in five victims of sale-related scams stay silent out of embarrassment, underlining the psychological toll beyond financial loss. How shoppers can protect themselves: Avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages; go directly to official apps or websites Enable two-factor authentication and use strong, unique passwords Watch for red flags like urgency or bogus payment prompts Monitor bank and card statements closely If in doubt, pause before clicking Other interesting findings from McAfee study: 96% of Indians say they shop online, especially for clothes and electronics. 7% say they do so almost daily, 21% a few times per week, 16% once a week, 33% two to three times per month, and 17% once a month or less.
