As technology evolves, artificial intelligence is becoming more and more present in our digital lives – from personalized recommendations to text and image generation. But at the same time, this technology also brings increased risks for online users.
A recent study by Visa shows that Romanians who cannot differentiate between fake content created with the help of AI and the real thing are more than five times more exposed to digital fraud. Risk awareness becomes all the more important six out of ten Romanians noticed a strong increase in suspicious or apparently fraudulent advertisements in 2025. Fewer than four in ten (35%) check whether the offer comes from a verified source.
The impact of digital fraud in Romania
According to the Visa study, almost four out of ten (38%) Romanians rarely read more than the headline of a news story online or on social networks before forming an opinion. And AI-generated fake news headlines have more than twice as likely to trick consumers as fake customer reviews (26% vs. 10%). Those who distribute or post digital content before verifying its accuracy are, in turn, more prone to scams (37%) than those who first check and only then distribute (30%).
These data underline a direct link between the level of digital education and the risk of being deceived on the Internet. Impulsive sharing – quickly scrolling through titles and redistributing without verification – opens new avenues for sophisticated fraud, including AI-generated fraud.
In Romania, online scams cause economic losses of over 800 million lei per year (approximately 160 million euros), and the victim loses, on average, 731 lei per incident. A quarter of those affected spend more than 24 hours trying to resolve the situation – wasted time and energy that affects productivity and trust in the digital environment.
Money is lost, but so is trust
Almost two out of ten Romanians, victims of online fraud, reported losing money due to online scams; 25% said they faced stressanxiety and shame that they were tricked. Almost a third (28%) of those who did not report the scam felt it was not worth the time and effort invested in solving it. One out of ten users of social networks in Romania admits that they have not taken any measures to protect themselves in the online environment. And the effects of online fraud go beyond the victim’s losses, affecting economic segments. So that over a third (37%) among the Romanians who were targeted by a scam in the digital environment
hesitate to make online purchasesVisa data also shows.
“Artificial intelligence has a major role to play in improving the way we live and work – from personalized experiences to operational efficiency – but it also brings new risks. Criminals are increasingly using this tool to deceive and exploit, eroding trust in online channels. It has become increasingly easy to mistake the fake for the real, with the real-life consequences being the loss of money, time and trust. These are the reasons why Visa is investing in AI-based innovation in collaboration with partners across the industry. Only by acting together can we give consumers the tools and knowledge they need to stay safe.” show Elena Ungureanu, Visa Country Manager in Romania.
A test on news platforms from Romania
In December, Visa conducted a test aimed at directly observing the reactions of the Romanian public to fake content created with the help of artificial intelligence. More precisely, on three Romanian news platforms, banners simulating a visual similar to those frequently used in online fraud attempts were run. They were directing users to o Visa page with practical tips on how to recognize and avoid online fraud.
Over the course of 12 days, the banners were displayed more than two million times; 22 thousand users chose to click, not knowing where they would be directed. The majority of interactions (89%) took place on smartphoneswhich confirms that exposure to potentially misleading content occurs most often in fast, “on-the-fly” contexts, when attention is fragmented and additional checks are rare. But even users who accessed the content from the desktop clicked, which shows that even those who consume the information in a more “settled” setting are not completely safe from this type of digital traps.
AI experience essential for protection
Although artificial intelligence is used by criminals to create convincing fake content, the technology also has a protective role. Visa has been using AI-based tools for more than three decades to anticipate and prevent fraud, investing in the last five years over $13 billion in technology and infrastructure designed to secure digital payments.
Visa Anti-Fraud Department (Visa Scam Disruption), for example, uses advanced technologies and generative AI to detect and analyze complex fraud. Thus, in the last year, through this tool, Visa identified over $1 billion worth of fraud attempts.
According to Visa, the solution lies not only in technological tools, but also in collaboration between digital platforms, financial service providers, merchants and authorities to create a safer and more transparent online environment. Also, digital awareness and education are crucial: more than three quarters of Romanians consider security the most important factor when making online payments, and almost 90% would choose a method that offers them more protection.
