cAfee’s 2025 Global Prime Day Scams Study, released on July 7, 2025, in San Jose, CA, exposes a sharp rise in AI-powered scams targeting Prime Day shoppers. McAfee Labs identified over 36,000 fake Amazon websites and 75,000 Amazon impersonation texts designed to steal personal and financial data. With 81% of Americans and 96% of Indians planning to shop online during Prime Day (July 8–11, 2025), scammers are leveraging generative AI for sophisticated attacks, including deepfake influencer videos and urgent delivery scam texts.
Scam Scale: 36,000+ fake Amazon sites, 75,000+ impersonation texts detected.
Consumer Impact: 15% of Americans scammed during Prime Day or similar events; 84% lost money, with 25% losing over $500, 10% over $1,000.
AI Concerns: 56% of Americans and 71% of Indians more worried about AI-generated scams in 2025.
Shopping Trends: 46% of Americans, 68% of 65+ shoppers, plan to spend more due to tariff-driven price hikes.
Vulnerable Groups: 18–34-year-olds most at risk, with 71% of deepfake scam victims losing money.
Tools: McAfee’s Scam Detector flags suspicious links, texts, and deepfakes across platforms.
Fake Amazon Websites: Over 36,000 domains mimic Amazon to steal data or payments.
Deepfake Influencer Videos: AI-generated endorsements trick shoppers, with 39% globally encountering such scams.
Impersonation Texts: 75,000+ messages pose as delivery updates, refunds, or tariff alerts, urging quick clicks.
Social Media Risks: 93% of shoppers see ads from unfamiliar retailers on TikTok Shop (29%) and Instagram Shopping (10%).
Abhishek Karnik, Head of Threat Research at McAfee, noted, “Scammers are using generative AI to craft scams that are more polished, personal, and persuasive. The best way to stay safe is to pause before you click and use AI-powered protection like McAfee’s Scam Detector.”
India: 96% plan to shop online, but 71% fear AI scams. 80% of victims lose over INR 40,000 (~$480), with 20% not reporting due to embarrassment.
U.S.: 81% will shop online, but 65% lack confidence in spotting scams. Older adults (65+) are cautious but targeted, while 18–34-year-olds risk more on social media.
Verify Directly: Use official retailer apps or websites, not links from texts/emails.
Secure Accounts: Enable two-factor authentication and use strong passwords.
Check for Red Flags: Avoid urgent messages demanding gift card or wire transfer payments.
Use AI Tools: McAfee’s Scam Detector identifies phishing texts, emails, and deepfakes in real time.
Trust Instincts: If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.
The global cybersecurity market, valued at $190 billion in 2024, grows at a 12% CAGR, driven by AI-enhanced fraud. McAfee’s Scam Detector, integrated into all core plans, has blocked 81,000+ malicious links since November 2024. Posts on X highlight scam concerns, with @IndiaToday noting India’s vulnerability due to its online shopping boom. The study, conducted in June 2025 with 5,000+ adults across the U.S., UK, France, Germany, and India, underscores the need for vigilance.
McAfee Corp. is a global leader in online protection for consumers. Focused on protecting people in an always-online world, McAfee’s solutions adapt to user needs, empowering individuals and families with secure, intuitive tools.
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