Finance professionals urge tech companies to tackle online scams

Core Insights - Fraud accounts for over 40% of all recorded crime in the UK, necessitating a collaborative effort from technology companies to combat online scams [1] - Criminals acquired £629.3 million ($838.5 million) in the first half of 2025, marking a 3% increase from the same period in 2024, indicating an urgent need for enhanced preventive measures [2] - Financial institutions are spending approximately £38 billion annually on compliance, primarily related to anti-money laundering, rather than directly addressing fraud [3] Industry Concerns - The current regulatory framework disproportionately burdens banks, while technology firms face limited regulations despite being the origin of many scams [4] - Proposals discussed include live data-sharing, improved identity verification, and regulatory changes to enhance oversight of digital platforms and financial transactions [4] - The evolving nature of fraud, including the use of AI and automated methods, requires a joint responsibility across sectors to effectively mitigate risks [5] Technology's Role - Technology companies are increasingly recognized as key players in the fight against economic crime, as most fraudulent activities stem from social media and telecommunications [2] - The effectiveness of fraud reduction efforts will depend on the cooperation between technology firms and financial sector participants [5] - The rise of generative AI is accelerating invoice and payment fraud, highlighting the need for a collective approach to tackle these challenges [6]