AI-enabled financial scams cause €20 million losses in Croatia
Croatian police reported that over 2,100 cybernetic crimes in 2025 caused €20 million in losses, a 22 percent increase from 2024. Scammers used AI tools, automation, and deepfake technology, targeting young people who are reportedly more vulnerable due to social anxiety and loneliness.
What happened
Croatian police discovered over 2,100 cybernetic crimes in 2025 with material losses exceeding €20 million, a 22 percent increase from 2024. Scammers are using advanced technologies including AI tools, automation, and deepfake technology to conduct financial fraud.
Young people in Croatia are particularly vulnerable to these scams because social anxiety and loneliness make them more susceptible to emotional manipulation in digital environments. The scams often occur in online spaces where young people spend most of their time.
Reported impact
The €20 million in losses from cybernetic crimes in 2025 represents a significant jump from 2024, with experts warning that actual losses are substantially higher than official statistics show. In investment fraud alone, losses in 2025 were approximately €7.2 million.
Index analysis
Scammers use AI-enabled deepfake technology to convincingly imitate the identities of real people and gain victims' trust more easily. The sophistication of attacks is increasing as technology advances faster than society's ability to protect itself.
Governance controls
The University of Zagreb and Zagrebačka banka organized a roundtable on digital security to address the issue and emphasize the importance of critical thinking and verification of information from unknown sources. Experts stressed that financial literacy and awareness of risks are necessary defences against scams.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.