Loan scam texts surge 162%, luring victims via messenger apps

Phishing text messages designed to scam loan applicants have surged dramatically, with a 162% increase in the second quarter of 2026. AhnLab's "2026 2nd Quarter Phishing Text Message Trend Report" revealed that loan scams were the most prevalent type, accounting for 62.68% of all phishing messages analyzed.

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Loan scams accounted for 62.68% of all phishing text messages, followed by Telegram impersonation at 17.38%, financial institution impersonation at 8.97%, and government/public institution impersonation at 6.60%.

These fraudulent messages typically use enticing phrases like 'urgent support,' 'low interest,' or 'high limit.' They then provide a messenger ID, drawing victims into one-on-one chat rooms. Once there, scammers pose as loan consultants, demanding personal information or upfront fees under the guise of processing the loan.

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Loan scams and Telegram impersonation increased by 162% and 71% respectively compared to the previous quarter.

Following loan scams, Telegram impersonation saw a 71% increase, while family impersonation and wedding invitation scams decreased by 31% and 96% respectively. The report highlights the evolving tactics of cybercriminals, who increasingly use mobile messengers to facilitate their fraudulent activities.

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Loan scam messages typically present phrases like 'urgent support,' 'low interest,' and 'high limit,' along with a messenger ID to lure users into one-on-one chat rooms.