The latest report from Datos Insights explores fraudsters’ exploitation of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on fraud attempts with scale and sophistication. Fraudsters are using generative AI and agentic AI to automate attacks that once required time, coordination, and human effort — accelerating everything from synthetic identity creation to deepfake-enabled scams across the account holder lifecycle.

In fact, 89% of financial institutions say deepfakes and generative AI are supercharging payment scams.

Traditional defenses weren’t built for adversaries that learn, iterate, and attack at machine speed. Many financial institutions are still relying on disconnected, rules-based approaches that can’t keep pace. Meanwhile faster payments and new rails compress detection windows from days to milliseconds.

This report breaks down the top 10 trends shaping Fraud & AML in 2026 and offers practical actions leaders can take to build more agile, resilient defenses even with budget and talent constraints.

The financial institutions that successfully prevent fraud won’t be the ones reacting fastest after losses occur, they’ll be the ones anticipating where financial crime is going next and adapting controls before criminals scale new tactics with layered banking security.

As fraud attempts evolve, staying ahead requires more than point fixes. It requires a strategy built on clear trend intelligence and digital banking solutions that can keep fraudsters out by fighting AI threats head-on.

This report delivers a forward-looking view of what’s changing, why it matters, and what to do now.

These data-backed insights can empower financial institutions to pressure-test their current approach and prioritize the capabilities needed to stay resilient into 2026 and beyond.