Mass quishing attacks linked to organized crime gangs across the UK

• QR code phishing is on the rise
• These attacks claimed over 1,300 victims in 2024
• Cybercriminals are disguising their QR codes as legitimate payment methods

A relatively new cyber threat, “Quishing”, or QR code phishing is claiming more victims in the UK than ever, with Action Fraud receiving 1,386 reports of incidents last year, a serious increase from 2019 where 100 attacks were recorded, the BBC reports.

These are especially prevalent in “contactless payment hotspots” like parking meters and restaurant menus, where criminals will stick their own malicious QR code over an existing legitimate QR code.