AI-driven CTV fraud schemes surge 140% globally
According to DoubleVerify's 2026 Global Insights report, AI-powered connected TV fraud schemes have surged 140% globally in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Fraudsters are using advanced AI tools to create sophisticated bot attacks and fraudulent apps, with unprotected campaigns potentially losing approximately $1.8 million per billion CTV impressions served.
What happened
DoubleVerify's 2026 Global Insights report found that connected TV (CTV) fraud schemes have accelerated worldwide, with fraudsters using AI and advanced tools to scale operations. DV detected 140% more CTV fraud schemes and variants in Q1 2026 compared with Q1 2025.
Reported impact
DoubleVerify found 50+ distinct CTV bot attacks and variants in 2025 alone and identified 10x more fraudulent CTV apps in 2025 versus 2024. In unprotected campaigns, fraud can cost advertisers approximately $1.8 million per billion CTV impressions served, and with trillions of CTV impressions served annually, losses accumulate quickly.
Index analysis
The research is based on DoubleVerify's proprietary measurement data spanning billions of impressions from DV-protected campaigns and controlled tests, along with surveys of more than 2,000 marketers and 22,000 consumers across over 20 global markets.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.