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Trend Micro forecasts a new era of AI-driven scams by 2026
In a comprehensive report released today, cybersecurity leader Trend Micro Incorporated warns that 2026 will mark a significant turning point in the evolution of scams, driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The report, titled "2026 Scam Predictions: How AI and Emotion Are Re-Engineering Global Scams," forecasts a future where scams are not only AI-driven but also scaled and engineered to manipulate emotions, reshaping the landscape of digital fraud.
Trend Micro forecasts a new era of AI-driven scams by 2026
In a comprehensive report released today, cybersecurity leader Trend Micro Incorporated warns that 2026 will mark a significant turning point in the evolution of scams, driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The report, titled "2026 Scam Predictions: How AI and Emotion Are Re-Engineering Global Scams," forecasts a future where scams are not only AI-driven but also scaled and engineered to manipulate emotions, reshaping the landscape of digital fraud.
"Today, AI is transforming how scams are created and delivered, making them more convincing, more prolific and harder to recognise," said Ashley Millar, Director of Consumer Education at Trend Micro. This transformation is largely attributed to the increasing sophistication of AI, which allows fraudsters to create scams that are more realistic and difficult for consumers to identify. According to Millar, "nearly half of Australians say they encounter AI-generated content very frequently or constantly online," highlighting the blurred lines between genuine and fraudulent content.
The report delves into how AI-generated personas, deepfake media, and agentic automation are revolutionising global scam operations. With these technologies, cybercriminals can clone voices, craft personalised messages, and seamlessly shift conversations across various platforms, including SMS, chat apps, and fake websites. The result is a multi-channel approach to scams, where victims are enticed from social media or text messages into encrypted chats and fraudulent payment pages. This method is expected to become the dominant pattern in 2026.
Particularly concerning are relationship and investment scams, which are projected to drive the highest financial losses. AI chatbots, deepfake companions, and manipulated imagery are blurring the line between real and synthetic interactions. Meanwhile, crypto-related investment fraud is anticipated to expand through sophisticated scam-as-a-service networks. Instant payment fraud is also on the rise, as criminals exploit peer-to-peer money apps and irreversible transfers.
High volume impersonation scams, including delivery, billing, and subscription renewal fraud, are expected to remain the most common global threat. These scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, relying on localised smishing kits and professional-grade branding that make them nearly indistinguishable from legitimate communications.
To combat this new wave of AI-driven scams, Trend Micro is promoting its ScamCheck tool as a key protection layer for consumers. ScamCheck allows users to instantly verify suspicious texts, links, social messages, and phone numbers. It directly addresses the multi-channel fraud journeys outlined in the report by analysing impersonation patterns, risky URLs, and behavioural cues commonly seen in various scams. "ScamCheck gives consumers immediate verification guidance," said Millar, "helping them spot AI-engineered or highly polished scams that bypass traditional forms of detection."
Trend Micro advises consumers worldwide to adopt new "verification-first" habits as fraud tactics evolve. The company warns that AI-enhanced fraud is rendering older warning signs, such as poor spelling or grammar, obsolete. Instead, users are encouraged to rely on identity checks, cross-channel verification, and an awareness that even convincing messages can be engineered to manipulate trust.
Trend's predictions underscore a future where scams operate as AI-scaled ecosystems. Those who stay informed, use secure-by-design platforms, and adopt modern verification practices will be best equipped to protect themselves in an increasingly deceptive digital world.
For more insights into Trend Micro’s 2026 Consumer Threat Predictions, the full report is available for viewing at their official website. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and vigilant has never been more crucial for consumers navigating the complexities of online interactions.
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