Artificial intelligence is making investment scams harder to recognise. The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has recently warned of a sharp increase in fake investment opportunities using AI-generated content, including deepfake videos and fabricated news articles featuring well-known New Zealand figures.

These scams are designed to look credible. They borrow trust from familiar faces, polished websites, and convincing stories. But underneath, the goal is simple – get you to act quickly, before you’ve had time to think it through. Slowing down and knowing what to look for matters.

What is an AI investment scam?

An AI investment scam uses artificial intelligence to create highly convincing but false investment opportunities. While traditional scams often rely on poor-quality emails or obvious red flags, AI scams are more convincing, harder to spot, and designed to feel legitimate at first glance.

Here are a few simple ways to spot an AI investment scam and protect yourself:

1. Why urgency is a red flag in investment scams

Scams rely on speed. They create a sense that you need to act now – before the opportunity disappears, before “the secret gets out,” or before the price changes. That pressure is deliberate. It shuts down your ability to question what you’re seeing.

Legitimate investments don’t work like that. You have time to read, ask questions, and make a considered decision.

If something feels rushed, that’s your signal to slow down.

2. Deepfake investment scams are harder to spot than they look

AI-generated videos and images can now convincingly mimic real people. The FMA has flagged cases where politicians and business leaders appear to endorse investment platforms they have no connection to. Seeing a familiar face is no longer proof.

Instead:

• Check the person’s official website or verified social channels
• Look for the same endorsement reported by credible news outlets
• Ask yourself if the message aligns with what that person would realistically say

If the opportunity only exists within an ad or a single article, treat that as a red flag.

3. How to check if an investment website is legitimate

A convincing headline means very little if the destination doesn’t hold up.

Before engaging with any opportunity:

• Look closely at the website URL – small misspellings are common
• Check for a legitimate business address and contact details
• Search the company name independently, rather than relying on the ad

Scam websites are often well-designed. Presentation alone isn’t a sign of legitimacy.

4. How to spot unrealistic investment returns

If it sounds unusually good, it usually is not good.

Promises of high returns, low or no risk, and quick results don’t reflect how investing works in reality.

All investments carry some level of risk. Returns vary. Outcomes take time. When those fundamentals are missing, it’s worth stepping back.

5. Why getting a second opinion helps avoid scams

A scam often loses its power when you step away from it.

Take five minutes to:

• Ask a friend or family member what they think
• Leave it overnight and come back with a clear head
• Re-read the offer as if you had no emotional attachment to it

Distance helps you see what urgency tries to hide.

Staying alert in a fast-moving scam environment

The FMA recently identified more than 100 scam ads appearing within a single 24-hour period, alongside hundreds of fake investment websites linked to these campaigns. This isn’t a one-off issue. It’s evolving quickly.

To keep yourself and your finances safe, remember:

Pause.

Check.

Question.

Confirm.

Opportunities worth considering will still be there tomorrow. Taking the time to think clearly is one of the simplest ways to protect what you’ve worked hard to build.

If something doesn’t feel right, or you’d simply like a second opinion, the team at Anglican Financial Care is here to help. Sometimes a quick conversation is all it takes to sense-check what you’re seeing. And if you think you may have engaged with a scam, don’t let embarrassment stop you from reaching out. These scams are designed to catch people off guard, and you’re not alone. Acting early can make a real difference.

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