Debate contribution: Tackling Scams and Improving Public Protection
Debate contribution by Mr Keith Buchanan on .
- MLA
- Mr Keith Buchanan
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 9 December 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Private Members' Business
- Heading
- Tackling Scams and Improving Public Protection
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5296442
Read the official Assembly record
Text
The Democratic Unionist Party believes that our older generation and, indeed, every generation must live in safety, free from crime, abuse and exploitation. That is not just policy; it is a moral duty. Fraudsters today are organised, sophisticated and global. We have pushed for fraud and cybercrime statistics to be broken down by age so that the scale of the problem facing older people is clear. Along with others in the Chamber, I was horrified to read about what happened to 82-year-old Eddie, whom my colleague referenced earlier, who was tricked by a fake AI-generated advert. He trusted what looked like a real company, only to be defrauded. It is shameful that criminals target older people's vulnerability and exploit their trust. Scams cause more than financial loss; they leave deep emotional scars. Victims often feel betrayed, humiliated and fearful, especially in isolation. It is shameful that older people are targeted because of their increased vulnerability and lack of technological awareness. Indeed, as others mentioned, some younger folks are maybe not that savvy either, and I include myself in that. It is shameful that criminals exploit trust and innocence for profit. We must recognise that scams do not only inflict financial trauma. Every week in Northern Ireland, around 100 scams are reported. Those are the ones that are reported. Those are 100 families who have been disrupted and 100 crimes that must be stopped. Technology such as AI and deepfakes have made scams more sophisticated. What began on social media is now being used in bold frauds against individuals and companies. The Assembly must send a clear message that we will not allow our older generation or any generation to be preyed on. We need to strengthen awareness, improve legislation and give law enforcement the tools to fight the threat. Our elderly citizens deserve dignity, safety and peace of mind. Let us decisively act to protect them.
316 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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