Inquiring Submitters: Which documents provide the optimum tools for carrying out fraudulent activities?
In the ever-evolving world of fraud, 2025 has seen a significant surge in document fraud cases, according to The Beast, a renowned fraud expert known for his global expertise. This article provides an overview of the common types of document fraud, geographical trends, and the increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in this illicit activity.
Document forgery, identity theft, synthetic identity creation, template fraud, pre-digital document modification, generated document fraud, and serial fraud are some of the most prevalent forms of document fraud in 2025. Fraudsters are increasingly leveraging AI tools to create highly realistic forged documents and synthetic identities, making it challenging for traditional verification methods to detect them.
The geographical distribution of document fraud varies significantly. Iraq currently has the highest reported fraud rate globally at 55%, with the Middle East facing significant document fraud challenges. In contrast, developed countries like the UK account for 41% of all crimes reported, reflecting the pervasive nature of fraud worldwide.
Payment fraud data for 2024 shows that checks remain the payment method most frequently targeted by fraud (63% of organizations faced check fraud), and business email compromise (BEC) scams are a major vector for fraud attacks.
Artificial intelligence is playing a dual role in this escalating issue. On one hand, it is being actively used by fraudsters to create sophisticated forged documents and synthetic identities. On the other hand, advanced AI-driven defenses are required to effectively counter this AI-driven fraud. Fraud trends indicate that as AI and related technology continue to proliferate, the risk evolves rapidly, necessitating layered defenses that combine human scrutiny with AI-powered detection and prevention tools.
To delve deeper into this topic, The Sumsub team has launched a series called FRAUDLYMPICS, providing additional statistics on fraud trends. This week's Q&A will be focused on fraud, with advice provided by The Beast. Notably, driving licenses have experienced a 455% increase in fraudulent use in Ethiopia, passports have seen a 522% increase in fraudulent use in Afghanistan, and proof of address has experienced a 512% increase in fraudulent use in Portugal. In Nigeria, the most popular documents used for fraud have seen a staggering 1,562% increase.
Stay tuned for the upcoming Q&A series, where legal, tech, and other experts will answer frequently asked questions about fraud. To learn more about deepfakes and their role in fraud, The Sumsub team suggests reading the article "What Are Deepfakes?". The Q&A series will be published every other Thursday on The Sumsuber and social media platforms.
Technology and finance intersect in the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by fraudsters to create forged documents and synthetic identities, posing a challenge for traditional verification methods. General-news outlets, such as The Sumsub team's FRAUDLYMPICS series and articles like "What Are Deepfakes?", provide valuable insights into the latest trends and strategies to counter AI-driven document fraud and identity theft. Crime-and-justice statistics reveal a significant surge in document fraud cases worldwide, with Iraq leading in reported fraud rates, while developed countries like the UK account for a considerable portion of crimes reported, indicating the global pervasiveness of fraud.
