60% of Birmingham believes they can detect investment scams

A recent study has revealed which UK cities feel the most confident about recognising cyber crimes, with Birmingham securing a place near the top of the list.

According to the findings, 60.49% of Birmingham residents believe they can identify an investment scam, with 15.61% describing themselves as “very confident” and 44.88% as “somewhat confident.” However, nearly a third (28.29%) admitted they would struggle to spot a scam, including 10.24% who said they are “not at all confident.”

Despite these numbers, Birmingham ranked only fourth overall. Sheffield took third place, with 65.15% of participants confident but 25.76% expressing doubt. London ranked second, with 66.54% saying they were confident, although 28.79% admitted uncertainty. Nottingham topped the list, with two-thirds (66.67%) confident and just 19.54% not confident.

Krisztián Gátonyi of BrokerChooser, specialists in brokerage and forex, highlighted common red flags to watch out for: promises of unrealistic returns, claims of being “pending approval” without regulation, and pressure tactics to act quickly. He stressed that people should always take time to verify details, check official registrations with financial regulators, and carefully review contact information. While scammers are increasingly using AI, Gátonyi believes stronger regulation and public awareness remain the best protections.