Day 6: Fools Gold, AI Investment Scams
Fool’s Gold 2.0: AI Investment Scams Aimed at Business Owners
Running a small or mid-sized business is tough enough without someone dangling “get rich quick” opportunities in your face. But that’s exactly what AI-driven investment scams do, and they’re getting scarily good at it.
Business owners and directors are prime targets. Why? Because scammers know you control the purse strings, you’re under pressure to grow, and you may be tempted by promises of quick returns, exclusive business loans, or the next big crypto boom.
AI makes these scams look bulletproof. Criminals churn out slick websites, glowing testimonials, and even fake trading dashboards that update in real time. Social media feeds get flooded with “success stories” from supposed investors (who are nothing more than AI-generated faces). If you bite, the scammers don’t just take your money , they take your reputation with it. Imagine explaining to your staff, partners, or clients that business funds vanished chasing a phantom investment.
Real-life example: In 2023, UK regulators warned about a wave of AI-powered “green energy investment schemes.” The fraudsters used cloned voices of well-known entrepreneurs in video ads, backed by professional-looking websites showing fake environmental projects. Several small business directors invested both company reserves and personal savings, only to discover the schemes didn’t exist. Losses ran into the millions.
What SMB Owners Can Do
Be sceptical of unsolicited offers. If an opportunity arrives via cold email, DM, or an online ad, assume it’s a scam until proven otherwise.
Check before you commit. Verify the company with the FCA register and run independent searches, don’t rely on the material provided by the promoter.
Separate business from personal. Never blur the line between company funds and your own savings when it comes to “investment opportunities.”
Get independent financial advice. A 30-minute call with a regulated advisor is far cheaper than losing six figures to a scam.
Pause before you leap. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
AI-driven investment scams are the modern fool’s gold. They shine bright, they look convincing, and they’re designed to lure in busy owners chasing growth. For SMBs, the smartest investment isn’t in a flashy crypto pitch, it’s in due diligence and trusted advice.
