# Fake ATM Pop-Ups The FCA;s Mysterious ATM Promising Fortune Provides Investment Scam Warnings By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2026-01-30 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fake-atm References: [campaignlive](https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/fcas-fake-atm-encourages-people-think-twice-when-investing/1946728) & [fca.org.uk](https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/emil-seal-hijacks-waterloo-station-warn-commuters-investment-scams)  People often say, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is," and FCA's [fake ATM](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dualsided-atm) was designed to drive home this message about the risks of [investment scams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scam-protection-features). A common tactic scammers use is to apply pressure to get people to rush into decisions, and the FCA's [pop-up ATM](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1p-shop) was designed to challenge this instinct and provide a moment of pause. Commuters at London Waterloo came upon a mysterious ATM promising to "give away a fortune," but when they approached, the screen opened to reveal Emil the Seal, the FCA's finance-friendly mascot, providing a message urging people to "check it’s real before you seal the deal." According to FCA data, around 700,000 adults experienced investment-related fraud or scams in the 12 months to May 2024. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.6/10 - Popularity: 64% | Activity: 73% | Freshness: 61% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Credit Crunch](https://www.trendhunter.com/creditcrunch) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Interactive Awareness Campaigns:** The use of interactive installations like fake ATMs to raise awareness about scams emphasizes experiential engagement with public safety messages. - **Gamified Education Tools:** Gamified elements in public spaces introduce a novel approach to educating people about financial scams in an engaging and memorable way. - **Risk Mitigation Messaging:** Prominent displays using humor and surprise can effectively communicate critical information about the dangers of investment fraud. ### Who This Affects Most - **Financial Services:** Financial institutions are seeking creative methods to educate the public about fraud prevention and enhance consumer trust. - **Public Safety and Awareness:** The integration of surprise elements in public awareness campaigns presents new opportunities for organizations focused on safety communication. - **Experiential Marketing:** Creative pop-up installations reveal the potential of experiential marketing strategies to convey important messages beyond conventional means. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sausage Snack ATMs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/greggs-and-monzo.md) - [Tech-Based Senior Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-council-on-aging.md) - [Festive Dairy-Free Cupcakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-sugar-spice-cupcake.md) - [Cyber Risk Protection Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zurich-insurance-1.md) - [Business-Targeted Anti-Fraud Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antifraud-solution.md) - [Real-Person Video Verification Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/realperson-video-verification.md) - [Fraud Intelligence Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scam-ai.md) - [Enhanced Crypto Security Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metamask-2.md) - [Video-Verification Dating Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/photo-verified-cuties.md)