Thousands of websites have been shut down as experts warn AI is increasing scams

Almost 12,000 fraudulent websites have been shut down by the Australian Financial Conduct Authority as it warns that artificial intelligence is “exaggerating” online threats.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said it coordinated the removal of 11,964 phishing and investment scam websites in 2025.

The record number represents a 90 percent increase in deletions compared to 2024, when 6,270 locations were removed.

On average it was 32 websites per day or 230 per week.

ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland told the ABC the organization had also seen a fall of “around 11 per cent” in investment fraud losses reported by Australians.

“What that means for us is that we have to do more to stay on top of things, but we actually have an impact,” he said.

“We have a third party that…