Colombia: AI speeds up digital fraud

Update September 11, 2026: The same DataCrédito Experian study cited by Portafolio was republished by GDA and added new data on perceptions of fraud in Colombia. It kept the finding that 71% faced attempts in the past year, and said the report is titled "From digital fraud to digital trust: how artificial intelligence is transforming the relationship between identity, risk and trust in Colombia," that 95% believe fraud happens often in the country, that 81% see an increase from the previous year, and that seven in 10 people know someone who was a victim in the past year.

TransUnion told Forbes Colombia that, according to its Consumer Pulse 2026 study, 66% of Colombian financial consumers reported exposure to digital fraud. Among those threats, vishing led with a 40% incidence rate among Colombian financial consumers. The company also said artificial intelligence is accelerating fraud in the financial industry, and that the response must be coordinated.

How widespread is fraud among financial consumers?

The scope is broad. Portafolio reported, based on a DataCrédito Experian study, that 71% of Colombians faced fraud attempts over the past year and that 46% of those exposed reported at least one completed scam. Semana cited the same study and added that 95% of respondents believe these practices happen frequently in Colombia, while 81% see an increase compared with the previous year.

GDA reproduced the same DataCrédito Experian study and added that seven in 10 people know someone who was a victim in the past year. It also identified the report as "From digital fraud to digital trust: how artificial intelligence is transforming the relationship between identity, risk and trust in Colombia." Taken together, the figures point to sustained pressure on users and institutions.

In Forbes Colombia's report, TransUnion also said fraud continues to rise across the region, with growth rates above 30% and, in some geographic areas, attack success close to 50%.

What role is AI playing in these attacks?

Forbes Colombia focused its coverage on how artificial intelligence is accelerating fraud in Colombia's financial industry. In that context, the warning is not limited to one tactic, but to a mix of techniques that are gaining speed and effectiveness with technological support.

Radar Tecnológico added another data point along the same lines, reporting, based on Incode's Agentic Fraud Report 2026, that the report analyzed 66 documented fraud incidents and that 44 were confirmed cases involving artificial intelligence. That finding reinforces the view that automation is already present in part of the cases under review.

How are banks and users responding?

The financial sector has been strengthening its defenses through investment and customer prevention measures. El Universal reported that, according to Asobancaria, banks invested 3.6 trillion pesos in digital innovation and cybersecurity in 2025, and that this helped keep 99.9% of transactions fraud-free.

At the same time, Diario del Sur published prevention tips for AI-driven financial fraud. They include not sharing passwords or OTP codes over calls, messages or social media, verifying official company channels, and being skeptical of requests for upfront payments on loans. Together, the coverage shows a landscape of higher exposure, pressure on control systems and changes in user behavior.