Britain is in the grip of a fraud epidemic, with around four million cases logged in the past year where money was actually stolen from victims, according to figures highlighted by the BBC.
That works out at nearly eight successful frauds every minute of every day across the UK, a pace that has alarmed consumer groups and policing bodies who say criminals are now operating at an industrial scale rarely seen before.
The numbers dwarf almost every other category of crime recorded in England and Wales, with fraud now thought to account for more reported offences than burglary, robbery and vehicle theft put together.
According to the BBC, the headline figure only covers incidents where cash actually left a victim's account or pocket. The true picture is likely far larger once attempted scams, blocked transfers and quietly absorbed losses are added in, experts have warned.
Banks and trade bodies have pointed the finger at investment cons, fake parcel delivery texts, romance scams and so-called authorised push payment attacks as some of the fastest growing tactics. Social media platforms and instant messaging apps are repeatedly named as the breeding grounds where many of these crimes begin.
Victims often describe the financial blow as second only to the emotional toll. Many say they felt too humiliated to report what had happened to Action Fraud or their bank, a silence campaigners say is helping criminals continue working without any fear of consequences.
Consumer groups are urging the public to slow down before clicking links in unexpected messages, to verify any caller claiming to be from a bank by hanging up and ringing back on the official number, and to talk openly with older relatives about the most common scams doing the rounds right now.