Fraud can happen anywhere, but relocating abroad can create situations that make scams harder to spot. Expats often need to secure accommodation, arrange employment, open bank accounts and share important documents before arriving in a new country, sometimes without the opportunity to verify organisations or individuals in person.
From fake property listings and employment scams to phishing messages and identity theft, fraudsters frequently target situations where people are under pressure to make quick decisions. Alongside practical preparations such as arranging international health insurance, taking time to understand potential risks can help expats make safer decisions before and after their move.
To explore where these risks may be greatest, the Global Fraud Hotspots Report, analysing recorded fraud rates, cyber-related fraud, cybercrime activity, identity theft, reported financial losses and fraud-related legislation from around the world.
And new research from the international health insurance specialists at William Russell has revealed several well-known expat destinations are among the countries with the highest recorded fraud rates, including the likes of Spain, France and Canada.
Spain ranks second globally, with more than 1,000 recorded fraud offences per 100,000 people. It also has the second-highest recorded cyber fraud rate in the research, at 861.71 per 100,000, highlighting the significant role of online fraud in the country’s wider fraud landscape.
Singapore ranks third overall and has the highest recorded cyber fraud rate of any country analysed. With 905.24 cyber-related fraud offences per 100,000 people, the finding highlights the potential risks for expats who rely heavily on digital banking, government services and online transactions.
Germany places fourth overall, with 882.76 recorded fraud offences per 100,000 people. It also ranks fifth for recorded cyber fraud, at 253.34 per 100,000, meaning expats face both a high overall fraud rate and a significant level of cyber-related offences.
Austria ranks fifth overall, recording 876.05 fraud offences per 100,000 people. Its cyber fraud rate stands at 177.53 per 100,000, putting it among the higher-risk popular European destinations in the research.
Italy ranks seventh globally, with 728.08 recorded fraud offences per 100,000 people, alongside a cyber fraud rate of 165.38. This puts Italy ahead of several other major European expat destinations in terms of recorded fraud.
France ranks eighth overall, recording 520.74 fraud offences per 100,000 people. However, its cyber fraud rate is considerably higher relative to its overall ranking, at 303.58 per 100,000, making online fraud a particular area for expats to be aware of.
Canada ranks ninth globally, with 517 recorded fraud offences per 100,000 people. It also records 129.69 cyber fraud offences per 100,000, placing it among the higher-ranking popular expat destinations analysed.
William Cooper, Director and Co-owner at William Russell, adds: “Moving abroad can make people particularly vulnerable to fraud because they are often navigating systems they are unfamiliar with. Whether it is opening a bank account, securing accommodation, arranging insurance or making an international payment, expats may not always know what legitimate processes look like in their new country.
“The data also highlights why it is important not to assume that a country with a reputation for being safe is automatically low-risk when it comes to fraud. Higher recorded rates can reflect stronger reporting systems and better detection, but they still demonstrate the importance of knowing how to identify and report fraud.
“Expats should take extra care when dealing with requests for money or personal information, particularly online. Verifying who you are dealing with through independently sourced contact details, keeping records of transactions and understanding local reporting procedures can all help reduce the risk of becoming a victim.”
Further research insights:
Singapore has the highest recorded cyber fraud rate in the research, at 905.24 offences per 100,000 people.
Spain has the second-highest cyber fraud rate, at 861.71 per 100,000.
France records a cyber fraud rate of 303.58 per 100,000, significantly higher than its overall fraud ranking might suggest.
Germany ranks 12th in the World Cybercrime Index, with a score of 2.17.
Canada ranks 18th in the World Cybercrime Index, while France ranks 21st and Italy 27th.
Spain ranks 51st in the World Cybercrime Index, despite its very high recorded cyber fraud rate, highlighting the difference between recorded fraud data and broader measures of cybercrime.
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