AI-driven Misinformation Increases Fraud Risk in Romania, Visa Study Finds

Online scams are inflicting severe economic damage on Romania, with annual losses exceeding RON 800 million (approximately EUR 160 million), according to a recent study by Visa. The research highlights how misinformation and fake digital content significantly increase user vulnerability to sophisticated fraud schemes.

The study reveals a stark contrast in victimization rates based on digital literacy. Romanians unable to distinguish between AI-generated fake content and authentic material are more than five times more likely to fall victim to digital fraud—71% compared to just 13% among those who can identify artificial content.

Financial consequences for victims are substantial, with the average Romanian losing RON 731 (approximately EUR 147) per scam incident. However, the impact extends beyond monetary losses. One in four victims (25%) spends more than 24 hours attempting to resolve issues following a scam, leading to decreased productivity and significant emotional distress.

The psychological aftermath often creates lasting behavioral changes. More than a third (37%) of Romanians targeted by digital scams subsequently hesitate to make online purchases, indicating how these experiences erode trust in digital commerce—a concerning trend for Romania’s growing e-commerce sector.

Elena Ungureanu, Country Manager of Visa Romania, emphasized the dual nature of artificial intelligence in today’s digital landscape. “Artificial intelligence plays a major role in improving how we live and work, from personalized experiences to operational efficiency, but it also brings new risks,” she noted. “Criminals increasingly use this tool to deceive and exploit, eroding trust in online channels. It has become easier than ever to confuse what is fake with what is real, with real-life consequences such as the loss of money, time, and trust.”

The study identified specific online behaviors that increase vulnerability. Users who share or post digital content without verifying its accuracy face a significantly higher risk of falling victim to scams—37% compared to 30% among those who verify information before sharing. Nearly one-third of Romanian users (29%) admitted to sharing posts without checking their authenticity at least several times.

Common digital habits are creating new vulnerabilities that criminals quickly exploit. These include quickly scanning headlines without reading full articles, redistributing content without verification, and impulsively consuming AI-generated content without critical evaluation.

Security concerns are paramount for Romanian consumers navigating the digital landscape. Nearly 80% identify security as the most important aspect of online payments, while 90% indicate they would select payment methods offering enhanced safety features. This consumer preference for security represents a significant opportunity for financial technology companies and payment providers operating in the Romanian market.

The comprehensive research was conducted by Opinium on behalf of Visa between August and September 2025. The study included 9,500 adults aged 18 and over across 11 European markets: Romania, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic. The Romanian portion relied on a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults.

As digital transformation accelerates across Romania and the broader European market, the findings underscore the critical importance of digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness. Financial institutions, technology companies, and government agencies face mounting pressure to implement stronger consumer protections while simultaneously educating users about emerging digital threats.

For Romania’s growing digital economy, addressing these security challenges represents both an urgent necessity and a potential competitive advantage in building consumer confidence in digital services and e-commerce platforms.