Overview

• The FCA logged 4,465 reports of people posing as the regulator in the first half of 2025, with about 480 victims transferring funds.
• Nearly two-thirds of reports came from people aged 56 and over, indicating older adults are being disproportionately targeted.
• Common ploys include claims that the FCA has recovered funds from a cryptocurrency wallet and offers to recoup losses for previous loan-scam victims.
• Fraudsters have also sent bogus County Court Judgment emails instructing people to pay alleged debts to the FCA.
• The watchdog says the scams are growing more sophisticated, and experts warn the reported figures likely understate the true scale.