New Zealanders now lose an estimated $3 billion NZD to scams every year — that’s roughly 1.2% of our entire GDP
According to the 2025 “State of Scams in NZ” report by Netsafe and the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, reported losses have skyrocked:
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- 2022: ~$20 million
- 2023: ~$200 million
- 2024: ~$2.3 billion
- 2025: ~$3 billion (a 30% jump in just one year)
Globally, the picture is even worse — scams drain an estimated $1.8 trillion annually.
Yes, New Zealand’s per-capita loss of $40 is still lower than Denmark’s eye-watering $854, but experts believe massive under-reporting hides the true scale here.
And the fastest-growing weapon in the scammer’s toolkit? “Artificial Intelligence.”
Learning AI — Here’s What Terrified Me
I have been doing a course on modern AI tools. One of the first things I learned to do — in under five minutes — was turn a single photo or a two-minute video of someone into a perfect talking avatar.
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- It will speak any language
- It will say anything I type
- I can make it fully interactive — you can have a real-time conversation and most people won’t spot it’s fake
- Cost? Around $52/month. Many platforms give you a basic version for free.
Add voice-cloning tools (some free, some $17–36/month) and you can now make anyone “say” anything in their own voice in seconds.
These aren’t secret government projects. They’re consumer apps, available to anyone with an internet connection.
That’s why distrust in AI isn’t paranoia — it’s common sense.
The New Reality: Can You Still Trust What You See and Hear?
Next time you’re on a phone call, WhatsApp video, or Zoom meeting, ask yourself:
“Is the person on the other end actually real?”
Because the honest answer is increasingly: “Maybe not.”
We may see a swing back to in-person meetings simply because it’s the only way to be 100% sure.
Battle-Tested Ways to Protect Yourself (Right Now)
These rules have saved countless people — follow them religiously:
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- If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Walk away.
- Never, ever give anyone remote access to your computer.
- Slow down. Urgency is the scammer’s #1 weapon. Sleep on it — wait 24 hours minimum.
- Verify independently. Never click links in unexpected emails or texts. Type the address yourself or phone the organisation using a number you already trust.
- Never send money (or gift cards, crypto, etc.) to someone you have not met in person.
- Guard your personal information like it’s cash. Only share if you 100% initiated the contact and know exactly who you’re dealing with.
- Watch for red flags: poor spelling/grammar, slightly “off” voices, unusual backgrounds on video calls.
- Romance scams are exploding — if someone you met online quickly declares love and needs money, it’s a scam 99.9% of the time.
- Use solid anti-virus/anti-phishing software. (We use and recommend ESET NOD32, but any reputable one helps.)
The Golden Rule
No legitimate bank, government agency, business, or family member in real trouble will ever pressure you to act immediately in a way that can’t be reversed.
If they do — it’s a scam.
Final Thought
AI is an incredible tool, but in the wrong hands it’s the perfect weapon for fraud. A healthy dose of scepticism isn’t anti-technology — it’s self-defence.
Stay sharp, stay safe, and when in doubt — go old-school and meet face-to-face.
You’ll sleep better for it.