Forex broker experts are warning the UK to stay extra vigilant, as AI is now ‘supercharging’ scams
More than half of UK adults now fear falling victim to a financial phishing scam, with 11% having already lost money to one. Alarmingly, AI fraud cases skyrocketed to 1,210% in 2025, far outpacing the 195% spike seen in traditional fraud. In light of this, here are four tactics to help you detect AI scams and avoid losing thousands of pounds.
1 The ‘lag trap test’
While AI voice and video systems can sound convincing in short bursts, they often rely on real-time processing that can have tiny delays, which become more noticeable when the natural flow of conversation is disrupted. “Fire off rapid questions that break the natural flow, such as, ‘Can you confirm that?’ followed immediately by, ‘Where are you calling from right now?’” says Head Broker Analyst Adam Nasli. “A real person will adapt instantly, often using natural fillers like, ‘um’ or ‘uh’, while AI systems are likely to produce slightly delayed answers or respond as if each question exists independently. These small timing cracks are often the first sign you’re not speaking to a human.”
2 Make them prove the room is real
Deepfake videos can simulate a face well, but they can still struggle with real-world spatial awareness and physical interaction. The easiest way to expose this is to ask for small, spontaneous interactions with the environment. Ask for something simple but specific, like, ‘I can’t see you properly, can you turn your camera to the left please?’ Humans respond instantly and naturally, while AI-driven video often breaks under this pressure, with delayed movement, awkward framing or a background that doesn’t shift convincingly with the body.
3 Eyes and lips don’t lie
While faces may look convincing at first glance, inconsistencies often appear when you focus on how the eyes and lips work together. Lips that move too smoothly or don’t fully match spoken sounds are a red flag. Pay attention to words that require fully closed lips like ‘P’, ‘B’ or ‘M’, as AI struggles with these syllables and often shows the mouth slightly open or failing to close at the right moment. Another giveaway is the blinking. AI-generated blinks can feel off-timing, too consistent or disconnected from the conversation, while real blinking is more irregular and naturally tied to our speech and thought.
4 Can ‘they’ get your humour?
AI struggles with sarcasm, irony and humour. This creates a useful test in suspicious interactions. You might say, ‘I was just waiting for a random bank call to sort out my finances, – this feels totally normal.’ A real agent will acknowledge your concern and clarify legitimacy. AI, however, often responds literally or continues the script without recognising the tone. For example, ‘Thank you for confirming. For security purposes, please verify your account details so we can proceed.’ You can also test with humour: “Before we continue, should I also give you my PIN and favourite colour while I’m at it?’ AI may ignore the joke entirely, or respond as if it were part of a genuine security confirmation process.
“AI scams are becoming more and more sophisticated with fraudsters now able to easily impersonate banks, government officials, brokers and trading platforms with convincing accuracy,” continues Adam. “Consumers need to equip themselves with the knowledge to distinguish what is real from what is not, as victims can be pushed into rushed investment decisions under the belief they are speaking to a genuine market expert. Losses to investment scams are typically very high, as speed, trust and emotional FOMO are frequently exploited. Scammers rely on creating pressure to act immediately, whether it’s an exclusive opportunity or fake broker urging urgent account verification. Take a moment to question, test and verify identity of who you’re speaking to. If you cannot independently verify their details online, you are most likely dealing with a scam. In today’s environment, protecting your capital starts with slowing down the interaction, not speeding it up.” www.brokerchooser.com
