Food festivals across UK exploited in AI-powered scam, BBC finds
Summary
Small food and craft businesses in the UK are being targeted by a scam using fake emails that look very real, claiming to be from well-known food festivals. The scam uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing messages and reach many people, leading some traders to lose money before realizing the scam.Key Facts
- British food festivals are being impersonated in scams targeting small businesses.
- Scammers send realistic emails, sometimes after several believable exchanges, asking for money.
- A trader lost money after responding to a convincing email offering a stall booking.
- The fake emails used genuine festival branding, real staff names, and detailed festival information.
- Scammers use AI tools like ChatGPT to gather information and create fake emails cheaply and quickly.
- Numerous UK food festivals, including Abergavenny, Narberth, York, and Newport, have been targeted.
- Reports of AI-related cyber fraud in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland rose by 395% in 2025-26.
- Festival coordinators say the scams make it harder to run events and confirm bookings with traders.
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