Summary
- Mobile devices accounted for 90% of reported scam attempts in BioCatch’s 2026 dataset.
- Scam attempts increased by 35% year over year.
- Reported employment-scam victims increased by 258%.
- Investment scams averaged $6,600 per case.
Nine out of ten reported scam attempts in BioCatch’s global dataset took place on mobile devices in 2026, while scam attempts overall increased by 35% year over year.
The Global Scams Report draws on data from more than 370 financial institutions serving over 760 million customers across five continents. Mobile devices accounted for 90% of reported scam attempts, five percentage points higher than the previous year.
Scams are growing, but at a slower rate
BioCatch says attempted scams reported by its customers increased 35% globally in 2026, compared with 65% growth in the 2025 report. Social engineering remains central because criminals can manipulate account holders into authorizing payments they believe are legitimate.
Employment scams up 258%, investment scams most costly
Reported employment-scam victims increased by 258%. Purchase scams remained the most common category, accounting for roughly one third of cases.
Investment scams had the highest average case value at $6,600, nearly five times the average across all scam types.
Why mobile is at the center of the problem
Communication, banking apps and instant payments can all exist on the same smartphone. BioCatch examines behavioral and device signals such as an active phone call, remote-access software and the way a new beneficiary is added to identify possible manipulation before a transaction is completed.
What we think
The smartphone has become a place where communication, social engineering and financial transactions can converge. The percentages describe BioCatch’s customer network and should not be read as a census of every form of fraud worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Does 90% refer to all scams worldwide?
No. It refers to reported scam attempts in the financial-institution data used by BioCatch.
Which category grew the fastest?
Employment scams, with reported victims increasing by 258%.
Which scams had the highest average case value?
Investment scams, averaging $6,600 per case.
