Amid a surge in AI-powered scams, action by regulators to combat social media phishing schemes and websites pitching investment scams nearly doubled in 2025, according to new data from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
During the calendar year, ASIC secured the removal of almost 12,000 scam-driven sites, it reported — a sharp increase from the 6,270 takedowns it executed in 2024. In total, the regulator has now taken down over 25,000 scams since 2023, it noted.
In 2025, the regulator also removed 1,100 social media ads involving suspected scams.
And, it specifically warned about the growing use of AI in social media ads targeting investors.
“Scammers are using artificial intelligence to make fake investment ads look more polished, more convincing and harder to spot,” said ASIC commissioner, Alan Kirkland, in a release.
“We’re seeing AI being used to create professional videos, fake endorsements and targeted ads designed to lure people into handing over their details,” he added. “That’s why ASIC has significantly stepped up its online scam takedown efforts.”
At the same time, scammers are using the promise of AI to deliver high investment returns as a lure to investors — aiming to mislead investors with offers of high, guaranteed returns, ASIC said.
In light of these trends, ASIC issued a warning to investors about the threat posed by AI-powered investment scams, calling on investors to be alert to common scam tactics, and to protect themselves against malicious actors.
Finally, the regulator said that it is “actively involved in international cooperation” with other regulators to help build “a global response to a global issue.”