AI-powered scams target Scottish shoppers ahead of Amazon Prime Day
Advice Direct Scotland warned that criminals are using AI to create sophisticated phishing emails and robocalls targeting Scottish shoppers during Amazon Prime Day. Scams include fake account alerts, bogus refunds, and schemes to steal banking details, with Scottish consumers reportedly losing at least ยฃ860,000 in the past year to online fraud.
What happened
Advice Direct Scotland warned that criminals in Scotland are using AI to create realistic phishing emails and robocalls to defraud shoppers ahead of Amazon Prime Day (July 8-11, 2025).
Scams include fake messages about Prime membership renewals, bogus refund offers, calls claiming accounts have been hacked, claims that expensive items like iPhones were ordered, robocalls warning subscriptions will auto-renew, and schemes that trick victims into downloading software giving remote access to devices.
Reported impact
Scots have lost at least ยฃ860,000 to cyber criminals in the past year amid a tenfold surge in online scams, according to Advice Direct Scotland.
Governance controls
Advice Direct Scotland advises that Amazon will never call to ask for remote access or install apps, and warns consumers to hang up on suspicious calls and contact their bank directly.
The charity recommends using the free ScamWatch tool at www.scamwatch.scot to report suspected scams.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.