Sussex residents lose more than 19 million pounds to investment scams in 2025

Residents across Sussex lost more than 19 million pounds to investment scams in 2025, according to figures released by Sussex Police.

A total of 662 reports of investment fraud were made during the year, with combined losses reaching 19,170,220 pounds. Across the UK, victims lost more than 879 million pounds to similar scams. Police said the average loss per victim exceeded 25,000 pounds, highlighting the scale of the financial impact.

Officers warned that fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated methods, including fake investment platforms, cloned websites, and AI-generated content such as deepfake videos featuring well-known figures. Criminals may also cold-call victims while posing as legitimate advisers or offer to recover lost funds for a fee.

Sussex Police has urged residents to seek independent advice before investing and to report suspected fraud via 101 or through the national reporting service.