{"id":2782,"date":"2026-05-19T23:13:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T23:13:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/martin-lewis-warns-tech-giants-actively-profiting-from-online-scams\/"},"modified":"2026-05-19T23:13:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T23:13:19","slug":"martin-lewis-warns-tech-giants-actively-profiting-from-online-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/martin-lewis-warns-tech-giants-actively-profiting-from-online-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"Martin Lewis warns tech giants &#8216;actively profiting&#8217; from online scams"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_85a9f6\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">A joint letter from Moneysavingexpert Martin Lewis and consumer group Which? has slammed the government for failing to crack down on online scammers and the tech platforms they use to prey on their victims<\/h2>\n<div class=\"Byline_byline-container__K_Owl\" data-testid=\"byline\"><span class=\"Byline_byline-content-wrapper__Imque\" data-testid=\"byline-content\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"Byline_author-badge-date-wrapper__Q7jj1\">\n<p><span class=\"\" data-testid=\"byline-publishedDate\"><\/span><span class=\"ArticleTimestamp_updated-date__7qD4Q ArticleTimestamp_updated-date-with-published__iFKpF\" data-testid=\"byline-updatedDate\">Updated <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37176195\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Martin Lewis on ITV\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_ML-1.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Joint letter from Martin Lewis says online scams 'destroy self-esteem and have huge impacts on mental health'\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Joint letter from Martin Lewis says online scams &#8216;destroy self-esteem and have huge impacts on mental health&#8217;<cite aria-label=\"Image: ITV\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: ITV)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Money guru <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/martin-lewis\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Martin Lewis<\/a> has accused tech giants of \u201cactively profiting\u201d from fraud.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The TV star, along with consumer group <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/which\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Which?<\/a>, has written a joint letter to PM <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/keir-starmer\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Keir Starmer<\/a> calling on the government to crack down on online heavyweights that allow their platforms to be used by scammers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Which? has previously warned that social media sites are \u201clittered\u201d with scams trying to trick victims into financial traps. They range from so-called purchase scams, to bogus investments, impersonation scams and others linked to dating.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThis fraud doesn\u2019t just destroy people\u2019s financial lives, it can also destroy self-esteem and have huge impacts on mental health,\u201d says the letter from Moneysavingexpert.com founder Mr Lewis and Which? chief executive Anabel Hoult. \u201cIt is easily one of the most common forms of \u2018harm and abuse\u2019 and needs addressing as a matter of urgency.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_8a413b\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37170499\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/money\/i-almost-20000-taken-bank-37170499\" tabindex=\"0\">&#8216;I had almost \u00a320,000 taken from my bank account after child maintenance error&#8217;<\/a><\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_8a413b\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37169967\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/woman-gets-water-company-letter-37169967\" tabindex=\"0\">Woman gets water company letter telling her she&#8217;s dead and owes them \u00a360<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37063014\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37063014\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Online hacker with faced covered by hoodie\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_GettyImages-2246589729.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Fraud accounts for 45% of all UK crime, the majority of which occurs online\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Fraud accounts for 45% of all UK crime, the majority of which occurs online<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mr Lewis, Dragons\u2019 Den star <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/deborah-meaden\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Deborah Meaden<\/a> and billionaire <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/richard-branson\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Richard Branson<\/a> are among those whose images have been exploited. The latest threat comes from deepfake content generated by artificial intelligence for both \u201cget rich quick\u201d schemes and fake news articles.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It came as City watchdog the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/financial-conduct-authority\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Financial Conduct Authority<\/a> issued an alert to young drivers this week about \u201cghost broking\u201d scams where criminals sell bogus insurance policies through social media and messaging platforms.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The policies are either entirely fake, invalid because they falsify details to bring the price down, or are cancelled shortly afterwards, the FCA said. Victims are left unknowingly uninsured and at risk of prosecution, fines and having their car seized.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Online platforms rake in a reported \u00a33.8billion annually from scam ads targeting European users. \u201cMajor online platforms are not just hosting criminal activity, they are actively profiting from it,\u201d says the letter to Mr Starmer and Science Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/liz-kendall\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Liz Kendall<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37172413\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37172413\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Worried man looking on laptop screen\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37172413.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/2_Man-looks-worriedly-at-the-laptop-screen-as-he-realizes-that-he-is-the-victim-of-an-internet-fraud.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Anyone risks falling victims to ever more sophisticated online scams\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Anyone risks falling victims to ever more sophisticated online scams<cite aria-label=\"Image: Kosamtu via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Kosamtu via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThe firms will often try to suggest that there are technological difficulties in preventing fraud. That isn\u2019t true, it is a lack of incentive. They aim to operate frictionless advertising models, so anyone, without checks, can pay and get their ads published and put in front of millions of eyeballs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;They aren\u2019t willing to add the friction that responsible advertising demands, never mind go through the rigid checks British old-media firms are forced to.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cBy neglecting their role in the fight against fraud, these companies are enabling unnecessary financial and emotional harm at a time when household budgets are being squeezed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The letter is critical of the government\u2019s recently launched Fraud Strategy. It claims the plan, along with the Online Safety Act, are failing to hold big tech companies to account.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mr Lewis and Which? contrast what it called the government\u2019s \u201cweak\u201d approach to the decisive action taken by ministers when deepfake sexual content appeared on Elon Musk\u2019s AI bot Grok, when it warned \u201cif you profit from harm and abuse, you lose the right to self-regulate\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Which? and Moneysavingexpert want the government to order regulator <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/ofcom\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Ofcom<\/a> to start taking action against platforms that host scams as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Research from the FCA found around half of young drivers have bought insurance through social media or messaging <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/apps\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">apps<\/a>. Graeme Reynolds, director of insurance at the FCA, said: \u201cTight budgets make cheap offers tempting \u2013 and scammers take advantage of that. Don\u2019t get ghosted by a policy that doesn\u2019t exist. Check the FCA Firm Checker before you buy, because driving uninsured could cost you far more than any premium.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A government spokesperson said: \u201cScammers who trick people into parting with their money are committing a criminal offence and should expect to be punished. This Government is backing words with action, delivering \u00a379million this year to tackle fraud head-on.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cWe&#8217;ve published a Fraud Strategy to protect consumers and disrupt criminal networks. But platforms also have a responsibility to ensure their sites are not providing a forum for material intended to scam the public.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cUnder the Online Safety Act, services that allow users to upload content or interact with others, including social media platforms, must proactively tackle illegal fraudulent content. This includes fraud by false representation and scam ads, whether shared or generated by users \u2013 or face consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/money\/martin-lewis-warns-tech-giants-37177082\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A joint letter from Moneysavingexpert Martin Lewis and consumer group Which? has slammed the government<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2783,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1779232399_2_ML-1.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2782","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2782"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2782\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2783"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2782"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2782"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2782"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}