North Yorkshire Council’s Trading Standards division has published an emergency public alert after tracing a sophisticated spike in online identity theft. Cybercriminals are using high-specification artificial intelligence engines to generate incredibly life-like images of counterfeit high-street boutiques and artisan country products. Unsuspecting buyers are targeted with cheap pricing loops on social media, leading directly to data skimming and the non-delivery of items.
Trading Standards Issue Urgent Alert Over Sophisticated AI "High Street" Retail Fraud
10 June 2026
Consumer watchdogs have issued a severe warning to local shoppers today following a rise in fake retail websites using convincing AI images to steal bank details