Sri Lanka has fallen into the category of the 15 least protected countries in the world against digital fraud in Sumsub’s 2025 Fraud Index.
The 15 countries least protected against digital fraud are Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, India, Tanzania, Uganda, Bangladesh, Rwanda, Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Brazil, Armenia, Kenya and Colombia.
The index reveals that Europe leads in fraud protection, while the US and many Asian countries see major declines.
Sumsub, a global verification and anti-fraud leader, released the second edition of its Global Fraud Index, produced in collaboration with Statista, CryptoUK, Digital Assets Association, Vixio Regulatory Intelligence, and MENA Fintech Association.
Statista Technology and TeleCommunications Senior Research Lead Timothy Owens said: “This year’s Global Fraud Index shows that fraud protection isn’t about geography, it’s about governance. At the same time, fraudsters are getting their hands on increasingly powerful AI tools. What once was a niche threat has become commonplace.”
“For technology leaders, the message is clear: Treat fraud exposure like system uptime. It requires constant monitoring. Verification systems, information sharing between organisations and robust incident responses aren’t optional anymore; they’re fundamental components of operating in today’s digital environment,” Owens added.
The 15 countries most protected against digital fraud are: Luxembourg, Denmark, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand, Sweden, Austria, Singapore, Slovenia, Israel, Malta, Lithuania and Australia.
Singapore dropped from first place in 2024 to tenth in 2025
The US fell by 36 positions (from 55 to 91) and Malaysia declined 52 (from 34 to 86).
Europe has the largest concentration of countries in the list of 15 most protected ones.
Pakistan holds the last position in the Index for the second consecutive year.
The US has the highest government AI readiness index across the globe.
The report examines fraud risk across 112 countries to assist regulatory bodies, governments and businesses in understanding and preventing fraud.
After being well-received last year, the 2025 Index expands on its 2024 study, adding nine new countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria.
The research combines Sumsub’s internal verification data with external sources such as the World Bank, Transparency International, and Oxford Insights to offer a comprehensive view of fraud exposure.
Sumsub Senior Brand and Creative Director Vitaliy Gribanov said: “Fraud rates alone don’t tell the full story- it’s essential to have a 360-degree view of the fraud landscape, globally and locally. As economies digitise, fraudsters exploit weak spots, making comprehensive, country-specific insights critical to anticipate trends and protect people and businesses.”
“We see elevated interest in this as a trusted source of data amid growing debates around AI threats. That’s why we launched our 2024 research, and with the latest edition we’re proud to strengthen Sumsub’s role in providing actionable insights that help businesses and governments stay ahead of fraud.”