Natwest has released the most common scams impacting Londoners this summer, with borough level data showing how criminals are targeting activities, from buying concert tickets to booking driving lessons.
As part of Natwest’s Scam Safe Summer campaign, their findings show how scammers are adapting their tactics to seasonal trends.
With millions of Londoners planning holidays, attending live events, and making major purchases, summer represents a prime opportunity for fraudsters.
Investment and crypto scams account for nearly half (48%) of all money lost in London, while everyday purchase scams are catching the highest number of victims, accounting for 69% of all reported cases.
Nationally, scams around everyday purchases have gone up by 20% in value year on year, according to the latest UK Finance Fraud Report 2026, published this week.
NatWest’s analysis reveals that the scams Londoners are most at risk from vary depending on where they live.
Driving lesson and test scams are most common in boroughs including Croydon, Ealing and Waltham Forest.
Concert and festival ticket scams dominate in Barnet and Lewisham.
Online shopping scams, including clothing and everyday items, are widespread in areas such as Barking & Dagenham and Southwark.
Natwest will be holding a series of Financial Foundations workshops across London, where they will be helping raise awareness of how to avoid scams through real-life scam scenarios – including steps customers can take to verify payments and sellers, pausing to question suspicious activity, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Catherine van Weenan, London and South East Regional Board Chair at Natwest, said: “As a bank, we play a critical role in educating and empowering our customers with the confidence to spot scams before the money is gone.
“That’s why we’re bringing our Financial Foundations workshops directly to communities across the capital giving people practical skills they can use immediately.”
Lord Hanson, Minister for Fraud, said: “The government is investing £250 million as part of our new Fraud Strategy to crackdown on this crime.
“We will continue to work with industry and use every tool at our disposal to disrupt criminal operations, bring fraudsters to justice and strengthen support for victims.”
Featured image credit: damircudic via Unsplash
