Visa dismantles $100M social media scam targeting European cardholders

Visa’s Scam Disruption (VSD) team has uncovered a major social media fraud operation. The group identified a 'survey scam' that tricked cardholders into recurring payments while promising cheap products. The scheme generated around $100 million in fraudulent earnings across Europe. The VSD team has been tracking the scam for some time. It involved roughly 1,000 merchants and 21 European payment processors. Since October 2025 alone, the team has exposed an additional $1.6 billion in fraud attempts.

Overall, the VSD programme has detected over $2.6 billion in global fraud attempts in just over two years. In the second half of 2025, it spotted 22% more scams than in the previous year. The team uses advanced analytics and intelligence to flag suspicious activity and stop fraud before it causes harm.

To combat these threats, the VSD team collaborates with banks, partners, and law enforcement. Michael Jabarra, Senior Vice President of Payment Ecosystem Risk and Control at Visa, stressed that scams are global, fast-moving, and constantly evolving. He emphasised the need for joint action to counter them effectively.

David Capezza, Chief Risk Officer for Visa Europe, commended the team’s work. He noted that their efforts protect consumers and reinforce the security of the payments system. The VSD team’s actions help prevent financial losses for cardholders. Their work also strengthens trust in the payments ecosystem. By disrupting scams and supporting clients, they reduce the impact of emerging fraud tactics.