Behavioural biometrics and AI rise as online fraud surges across Europe

By Vriti Gothi

Online fraud in the UK is intensifying, with new data from Nethone, Mangopay’s global fraud detection solution, revealing that criminal activity is no longer confined to traditional holiday peaks but has become a year-round challenge.

From January 2024 to July 2025, the volume of monthly fraud inquiries events assessed for risk such as transactions, logins and sign-ups more than doubled, climbing from 240 million to over 525 million. July 2025 set a new all-time high, underscoring the growing persistence and scale of online attacks. Year-on-year trends echo the same trajectory, with Nethone processing an average of 470 million monthly checks in the first seven months of 2025, compared to 300 million in the same period a year earlier, marking a 48% increase.

The UK has emerged as one of the most frequently attacked markets, alongside France, Germany and Spain. The data also highlights shifting sectoral dynamics. eCommerce platforms remain the most targeted, consistently driving volumes above 400 million checks per month this year. Travel and mobility operators recorded sharp seasonal spikes during peak booking periods, while FinTech platforms experienced concentrated surges tied to specific events. Gaming platforms displayed a similar pattern, with attacks rising around major promotional campaigns.

Nethone’s comprehensive risk profiling, which integrates device fingerprinting, behavioural biometrics and account history analysis, has also grown substantially. Between January and July 2025, monthly profilings averaged 170 million, up from 110 million in the same period of 2024. June 2025 set a record of 245 million, illustrating the growing demand for advanced fraud detection.

Mark Burton, VP Engineering, Fraud Platform at Nethone, said, “Fraud is no longer a seasonal threat. Our data shows that criminal activity has become a year-round pressure on UK and European platforms, with fraudsters now exploiting promotional cycles and refund windows just as much as traditional shopping peaks. They are becoming more persistent and opportunistic, driving higher costs for businesses and risks for consumers. Online marketplaces, travel providers and FinTech platforms need to be prepared for a constant baseline of risk, not just one-off surges.”

The findings underline a growing challenge for digital platforms across Europe. As fraudsters adapt to exploit consumer cycles and platform vulnerabilities, businesses face mounting pressure to maintain robust defences without sacrificing user experience. For eCommerce, FinTech, travel and gaming operators alike, the ability to counteract fraud as a continuous threat will be critical in sustaining consumer trust and operational resilience.