When assessing the risk of phishing, online fraud, and payment scams, the number of incidents is a crucial factor in understanding the global scale of cybercrime. Cybercriminals often target countries with high levels of internet usage, mobile payments, and online activity, where they can exploit vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure. Below is a ranking of the most risk-prone countries based on the number of cyber incidents related to phishing, online fraud, and payment scams, rather than the financial losses.
India
India ranks first in terms of the sheer volume of phishing, online fraud, and payment scam incidents. With over 700 million internet users, the country is experiencing a massive digital transformation, leading to a high number of cybercrime incidents. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)Â reported over 3.5 million cybersecurity incidents in 2020, with phishing attacks and financial fraud being major contributors. The growing adoption of mobile payments and e-commerce platforms has only increased the exposure to cybercrime, making India the country with the highest volume of incidents.
United States
The United States ranks second for the number of cybercrime incidents related to phishing, online fraud, and payment scams. The country’s vast digital infrastructure and high levels of internet and mobile payment usage make it a prime target for cybercriminals. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), U.S. consumers reported over 2.2 million fraud cases in 2020, with a significant portion of these involving phishing and online fraud. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) also logged over 300,000 complaints in 2020, including a large number of phishing-related incidents. Although the financial losses are high, the volume of incidents remains substantial.
China
China ranks third for phishing, online fraud, and payment scam incidents, due to its massive internet user base and thriving e-commerce market. The country has more than 900 million internet users, and with a high reliance on mobile payments and digital transactions, cybercriminals exploit these vulnerabilities regularly. CNNICÂ reported that 30% of Chinese internet users have been victims of cyber fraud, and the volume of phishing attacks continues to rise. Fraudulent websites, fake investment schemes, and phishing attacks targeting mobile payments are all prevalent, making China one of the most heavily affected countries in terms of incident volume.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom comes in fourth, experiencing a large number of phishing attacks and online fraud incidents. As a mature digital economy with high internet penetration, the U.K. is a frequent target for cybercriminals. In 2020, Action Fraud reported more than 400,000 fraud cases, many involving phishing, fake investment schemes, and online banking fraud. With sophisticated social engineering tactics and a high number of online transactions, the U.K. continues to face a large volume of cybercrime incidents despite robust cybersecurity measures in place.
Brazil
Brazil ranks fifth, largely due to the rapid expansion of digital payments and e-commerce. As mobile payment adoption increases, so does the number of phishing and online fraud incidents. ESETÂ reports that Brazil is one of the most targeted countries for cybercrime in Latin America. Phishing, card fraud, and fraudulent websites are common, with millions of individuals falling victim each year. In 2020, Brazil saw significant increases in digital banking fraud, contributing to the volume of phishing incidents and other online fraud cases.
Vietnam
Vietnam is increasingly at risk from phishing, online fraud, and payment scams, ranking sixth for the number of incidents. As the country embraces digital growth, cybercriminals have found numerous opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities, especially in e-commerce and mobile payments. VNCERT reported that Vietnam experienced over 1,000 cyberattacks daily in 2020, many of which were related to phishing and fraud. The Vietnam Ministry of Information and Communications noted that more than 1.1 million cases of cyber fraud were reported in 2020, with phishing and fraudulent e-commerce sites being the leading culprits.
When ranking countries by the volume of phishing, online fraud, and payment scam incidents, India, the United States, and China top the list, due to their large populations, high internet usage, and growing reliance on digital payment systems. The United Kingdom, Brazil, and Vietnam follow closely behind, with their rapidly expanding digital economies making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. These rankings highlight the increasing global scale of cybercrime and the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to combat the rise in phishing and online fraud. It is essential for these countries to continue investing in cybersecurity education, protective technologies, and collaborative international efforts to reduce the volume of these incidents and protect their digital ecosystems.