Visa's anti-fraud team uncovers $1.6 billion in new scams since 2025

Visa's Scam Disruption team has uncovered an additional $1.6 billion in fraud since October 2025. The unit, created to combat global scams, has now identified over $2.6 billion in fraudulent activity worldwide. Its work protects consumers and strengthens trust in the payments system. The Visa Scam Disruption (VSD) team uses advanced analytics to detect and stop scams. It collaborates with banks, partners, and law enforcement to dismantle organised fraud networks. Together, they shut down a major operation involving around 1,000 merchants across 21 European acquirers.

One recent case involved a 'survey scam' spread through social media. This scheme generated roughly $100 million in fraudulent earnings before being tracked and dismantled. The scam lured victims with promises of bargain products, then signed them up for recurring payments at inflated prices.

The VSD team reported a 22% increase in detected scams during the second half of 2025 compared to the previous year. Scams continue to evolve rapidly, demanding constant adaptation in fraud prevention efforts. The VSD team’s efforts have exposed billions in fraudulent transactions. By shutting down scam rings and tracking new threats, it helps safeguard consumers and the wider payments ecosystem. Its work highlights the need for a global and responsive approach to combating fraud.