Hackers have reportedly scammed over $5billion from music fans this year by posing as Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and others.
A report from the social media security company Spikerz has estimated that an eye-watering $5.3billion (£4billion) has been accrued by AI impersonations of high-profile artists on platforms such as X, TikTok and Instagram in 2025 alone (via Billboard).
Social media sites have become increasingly “high-risk entry points for fraud and brand damage”, the report suggests, with scams becoming harder to identify due to the rapidly accelerating technology behind AI.
They have identified Swift and Carpenter as the two most impersonated artists, with Billie Eilish, BTS, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi, BLACKPINK, Ariana Grande and Drake rounding out the top 10.
Spikerz consultant Scott Cohen has said: “Social platforms have become the most important connection point between artists and their audiences, and therefore, the most vulnerable. If we want artists to innovate and experiment, we have to give them digital environments where they’re not constantly under attack.”
The report stated: “When fans are duped by a fake account into buying non-existent merch, tickets, or experiences, the artist not only loses revenue, but suffers a blow to reputation that undermines future sales and engagement. The resulting brand damage can reduce the value of sponsorships, collaborations, and label partnerships.”
The threat of scammers has been on the rise in recent years, with Arctic Monkeys being targeted last year when someone posed as the band’s agent and appeared to be booking artists for a fake 2025 world tour.
Oasis fans also fell victim to ticket scams when the 2025 reunion tour tickets went on sale last year, with victims losing £346 on average. A Lloyds Bank report suggested that 90 per cent of Oasis ticket scams started with fake adverts on social media and those between 35 and 44 were the most likely to be targeted.
Also last year, Sophie Ellis-Bextor warned her fans about an AI scam that featured ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ to create a fake social media advert.
Facebook were also accused of “doing nothing” about a scam around tickets for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour last summer.
