By MATT STRUDWICK, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 09:58 GMT, 1 January 2026 | Updated: 10:07 GMT, 1 January 2026

Fraudsters are using AI to trick Deliveroo and other takeaway providers into giving them refunds by pretending their meals are undercooked. 

Fake flies and mould, pink burger meat, and melted cakes are among the examples of digital-altered photos customers are using to con firms.

Lawyers says people are 'getting more sophisticated in the tools that they're using' to fabricate claims to companies such as Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo. 

Caroline Green, co-head of retail and supply chain at the law firm Browne Jacobson, warned that those who make fake claims are committing a crime.

'If you get away with it once, you're probably unlikely to leave it at that,' she told The Times.  

Browne Jacobson said, according to some studies, more than one in 10 returns may be fraudulent even without AI assistance.  

'Generous return and refund policies, intended to boost customer loyalty, have inadvertently made it easier for fraudsters to exploit retailers,' the firm said. 

'Automated refund systems often issue refunds before goods are inspected, leaving businesses exposed. Platforms generally trust buyer-submitted images, with sellers given few opportunities to contest suspicious claims.'

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Fraudsters are using AIto trick Deliveroo and other takeaway providers into giving them refunds by pretending their meals are undercooked

Fake flies and mould, pink burger meat, and melted cakes are among the examples of digital-altered photos customers are using to con firms

AI tools retailers can use to weed out the fake images can be costly, with some now reportedly considering whether to get customers to provide live video when submitting claims.