Scams fall into a spectrum of differing attack types, including those focused on attacking network infrastructure and services, those seeking to defraud operators by abusing services and accounts, and those seeking to scam mobile users directly. The scam economy has grown rapidly over the last five years, surpassing the illegal drug trade and costing victims $1 trillion worldwide[1].
Users of mobile technologies are targeted by a variety of actors – whether it be low-level fraud via phishing, smishing, or through social engineering against them, or call centres. Scams and fraud can take many forms, and some of these exploit mobile devices themselves and their supporting service as an attack channel. These include attacks such as service fraud (e.g. identity fraud or mobile money fraud), mobile spam and, increasingly scams or “social engineering” fraud, which trick victims into revealing sensitive information about themselves and the services they consume, without realising they have compromised their own security. GSMA are working closely to test innovative concepts, including Open Verified Calling, and implement new solutions, like the Scam Signal API[2], that directly target scams.
The importance of mobile operators taking scam prevention seriously is clear. For example, Bharti Airtel’s network-based AI-powered Spam detection solution[3] has resulted in a reduction in financial losses for its customers of nearly 70% – a 14.3% drop in overall cybercrime incidents on the Airtel network (also rolled rolled out to Nigeria, Uganda,Tanzani and Rwanda). TPG Telecom[4] partnered with Apate.ai to pilot a proactive, intelligence-driven defence against scam calls. The program was designed not just to block malicious calls, but to divert them into a secure environment where valuable threat data could be gathered and used to strengthen protection. The collaboration delivered its goal resulting in 280,000+ scam calls successfully diverted from the TPG Telecom network and $7.6 million+ in estimated scam losses prevented. Anti-scam measures are increasingly being provided on-device[5] as well as within the network. The range of new operating system capabilities is extensive, including the ability to disable 2G connectivity (a route for smishing attacks).
The mobile industry is taking comprehensive steps to combat the rising number of scams that affect individuals and society, and to improve trust in global mobile networking. Additional information can also be found in the GSMA scams content hub[6] that shares a wide range of scam prevention resources to provide the industry guidance, intelligence and education tools and the document Fraud and Scams: Staying Safe in the Mobile World[7]. Only by uniting and working together can the global mobile industry and the wider ecosystem collectively tackle this issue to safeguard consumers and ensure a secure future for all.
As scams evolve, so must the industry’s response. At MWC 2026, the GSMA will introduce next-generation anti-scam technologies and intelligence frameworks that look beyond today’s threats to tomorrow’s risks. Visit www.gsma.com/scams to find out more.
[1] https://www.biometricupdate.com/202510/scams-overtake-1-trillion-as-ai-supercharges-global-fraud-networks-biocatch
[2] https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/gsma-open-gateway/gsma_study/vodafone-implements-scam-signal-api-to-combat-fraud/
[3] https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/security/scams/gsma_study/airtel-spam-detection-solution/
[4] https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/security/scams/gsma_study/apate-ai-powered-scam-detection-diversion-and-real-time-threat-intelligence/
[5] For example, https://safety.google/security-privacy/scams-fraud/, https://www.huaweicentral.com/android-16-will-modify-call-settings-to-safeguard-you-from-scammers/, https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10003438/ & https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iphe4b3f7823/ios
[6] https://www.gsma.com/scams/
[7] https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/connectivity-for-good/public-policy/gsma_resources/fraud-and-scams-staying-safe-in-a-digital-world/