Fake AI Ads Are Making Irish Consumers Six Times More Likely to Get Scammed

Irish consumers who mistake AI-generated content for real are nearly six times more likely to fall for online scams. New data shows that almost three quarters of those fooled end up losing money, proving how fast misinformation is turning social feeds into fertile ground for fraud.

The average scam now costs €124.50. When added up across the country, that becomes an estimated €71.8 million in yearly losses. Victims also spend almost nine days trying to sort things out, and half say they avoid smaller or unfamiliar brands afterwards. The damage hits both people and the wider digital economy.

Online behaviour plays a major role. People who share posts without checking are five times more likely to be targeted. Almost 60 percent of consumers have believed content that turned out to be an AI fake. More than a third skim only headlines. Nearly a quarter have reshared posts without verifying anything. Scammers know these habits well and design their traps accordingly.

The rise in AI-generated content is making scams harder to spot, and Irish small businesses are feeling the fallout as consumer trust drops. That is why there is a push across banks, retailers and digital platforms to strengthen fraud detection and raise public awareness.

The simplest protections remain the most effective. Question the source. Slow down before reacting to offers that feel urgent. Verify the sender directly. Use secure login tools and avoid transferring money through social platforms. A few careful steps can block most scams before they land.

Education and smart protections together can shut down many of the tricks that scammers rely on and help rebuild trust online.