Visa has revealed that its Scam Disruption Practice has intercepted more than $1 billion in fraud attempts since launching just a year ago, including $260 million in Europe. Working alongside clients and law enforcement agencies worldwide, the initiative has already dismantled over 25,000 scam merchants, marking a major step in the company’s ongoing fight against digital fraud.

As scams grow more sophisticated through the use of AI, Visa is countering with its own advanced technologies and expert analysis to detect and disrupt malicious activity before it reaches consumers. One recent operation saw the takedown of a vast network of over 1,000 scam merchants across Europe and North America, responsible for more than $44 million in reported fraud. By collaborating closely with acquirers and authorities, Visa successfully eliminated the network, protecting thousands of potential victims.

David Capezza, interim Chief Risk Officer for Visa Europe, emphasized the company’s commitment to safeguarding consumers: “Scams are personal and can have lasting financial and emotional effects. Identifying $1 billion in fraud attempts is a significant milestone, but it’s just the beginning.” Visa continues to strengthen its Integrity Risk Program and invest in technology and partnerships to detect deceptive merchant practices early, aiming to stay ahead of emerging threats and protect consumers across the global payments ecosystem.