News
- Scammers are increasingly targetting mobile users with banking scams
- Attempts at banking scams increased by 35% over the past 12 months
- Employment scams are also growing, tempting victims with promises of high wages and job satisfaction – for a price
New research has claimed banking scam fraudsters are increasingly focusing on mobile devices, with a 35% increase in such scams over the last 12 months. Rather than attempt to con victims via landline or email, banking scams are now almost wholly aiming at mobile devices – from where victims can easily transfer money.
The report from BioCatch has highlighted a range scams that are growing in prevalence, including romance scams and investment scams.
However, while banking scams represent a key challenge, it is purchase scams that are the most common, accounting for 33% of all scam attempts.
Global fraudThe proliferation of mobile phones around the world and the availability of banking apps is an advantage to scammers, but they use all manner of strategies to part victims with their cash. BioCatch’s research shows that 90% of all scams take place via a mobile phone, with romance scams increasing by 23% on the last year and investment scams the most costly, with an average case value of $6,600.
BioCatch has identified that artificial intelligence techniques are used by both the scammers and the banks.
"Social engineering scams have not suddenly become less prevalent or sophisticated," noted Director of Global Fraud Intelligence at BioCatch, Thomas Peacock. "If anything, artificial intelligence has lowered the barrier to entry for aspiring scammers, allowing more bad actors to create more convincing scams at a scale we’ve never seen before. In response, many banks have realised behavioural intelligence enables them to recognise signs of manipulation and coercion before an accountholder ever authorises a transaction.”
Theft without the break-inThe risk from banking scams relies on two key factors: the fraudsters’ use of manipulative, persuasive strategies to force an irrational financial-based panic in the victim, and the ease with which money can be moved around via a mobile banking app.
Although mobile banking is hugely convenient for honest citizens, it is also proving to be a boon for the scammers. As BioCatch’s Director of Global Advisory Jonathan Frost says, “Scammers don't need to break into an account if they can persuade the customer to move the money for them. That is the challenge banks face today with investment and romance scams, where customers are manipulated into making payments they believe are legitimate.”
Different territories have their own rules for helping victims of these scams. In the UK, protection is available. “Reimbursement in the UK protects victims financially after the event, but it does not stop the scam from succeeding. The priority now has to be preventing the payment from reaching the criminal in the first place.”
The challenge is to ensure everyone knows the risks from banking scams.
Belkin’s Switch 2 travel bag is designed to carry your console and its various accessories in comfort, while providing protection from the elements and more.
As Switch 2 cases go, it's a somewhat plain affair. While the slight ruching of the outer material lends it a rugged appearance, and the green and lilac colorways are more lively than the black variant, there’s little in the way of branding or fanfare. This may disappoint those looking to make more of a statement, but those looking to stay discreet will no doubt be pleased with Belkin’s utilitarian approach.
(Image credit: Future)Its materials, though, should appeal to everyone and rank among the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories on this front. The outer fabric is soft and smooth, which, along with its ergonomic form and minimal weight, makes it very comfortable against your back. It’s not unlike something you might find lining a piece of outdoor kit — although it’s worth noting that Belkin doesn’t mention anything about the bag being water- or even splashproof.
The shoulder strap is also well made. It too feels smooth and comfortable; it didn’t dig into my collarbone, as such straps often do, despite lacking a padded covering. There’s more than enough adjustability to accommodate a broad range of user heights and preferences. Admittedly, actually adjusting the buckle can be a little hard sometimes, but this is a price I’m willing to pay in return for a secure fit.
What’s more, you can easily wear the bag over any shoulder, thanks to two fastening points at the bottom. You can attach it to either of these via the plastic carabiner at the end of the strap, which is strong enough to be secure, yet still easy to unhook when needed, thanks to the angling of the mechanism that makes it easier to push in.
(Image credit: Future)In addition to the shoulder strap, there’s also a carrying handle at the top. This is slightly padded and soft in the hand, making it comfortable to hold.
The main compartment has a fair amount of space inside, with enough room to fit multiple accessories, including the Nintendo Switch 2 dock, controllers, power cables, and more. Its wide opening makes for easy access, too, thanks to the zips that run almost the entire length of both sides. They operate very smoothly, and I rarely experienced any snagging.
Within the main compartment are three others. One is designed for the console itself, and is lined with an exquisitely soft felt that prevents your screen from scuffs and scratches. A hook-and-loop strap goes over the top, which is quite slack, even with your Joy-Cons attached. However, the snug fit of the pouch itself is sufficient to keep your console in place.
(Image credit: Future)What’s more, this slackness is actually a positive, since it allows you to store your console with bulkier, third-party controllers attached. For instance, I managed to fit the console in with CRKD’s Nitro Deck 2 attached.
Attached to the outside of the console compartment is another compartment that contains the game card sleeve, which is easily removable. The sleeve fits a reasonable 10 cards, but there are other Switch 2 cases that hold more, such as Turtle Beach’s PlayTrek 2-in-1 case (14) and PlayTrek travel case (12).
The compartment itself isn’t felt-lined, but it still has a soft material. You’ll struggle to fit much in the pouch inside, and anything bulky will compromise the space needed for the adjacent console compartment.
(Image credit: Future)For such items, the netting opposite is more appropriate. It’s big enough to fit cables, power adapters, and both Joy-Con 2 controllers, although probably not all at the same time. And while the netting expands a fair amount, it has a tendency to sag when it’s fully loaded, even if the items in question aren’t particularly heavy. I also noticed that pointed items, such as paper manuals and the like, can stick right through its holes — a minor gripe, but one worth pointing out nevertheless.
On the outside of the bag, there’s a simple zip pocket on the front, which covers almost the entire length of the bag and is roomy enough to fit a few larger items, but you won’t fit items such as the dock, for instance.
(Image credit: Future)On the matter of protection, the bag has a fair amount of cushioning on the bottom — which Belkin describes as an “impact-resistant base” — and around the sides. However, there’s less on the front and back, and since this isn’t a hard shell case, I wouldn’t be confident piling heavy items on top of it.
But if you don’t need this level of sturdiness, Belkin’s travel bag offers a lot more besides, and for a reasonable price at that. If you’re in the market for a light and comfortable over-the-shoulder bag for your Switch 2 and its accessories, it’s a fine choice that’s hard to beat.
Belkin Travel Bag for Nintendo Switch 2 review: Price & SpecsPrice
$49.99 / £29.99 (about AU$54.95)
Dimensions
12.7 x 5.9 x 3.1in / 322 x 150 x 80mm
Weight
12.7oz / 360g
Game card slots
10
Compartments
7
Handle
Yes
Color
Black, Lilac, Olive
Should I buy the Belkin Travel Bag for Nintendo Switch 2?ScorecardAttributes
Notes
Rating
Design
Very comfortable to wear, and every material feels high quality. It won’t provide as much protection as a hard shell, though.
4.5 / 5
Storage
Plenty of space and compartments, and the removable game card pouch is a smart addition, even if it doesn’t hold as many cards as some others.
4 / 5
Value
Considering the quality and features, it’s hard to do better at this price.
5 / 5
Buy it if…You want to carry your Switch 2 over your shoulder
This is a very comfortable bag to wear, and can be adjusted to better fit whatever shoulder you choose to sling it over.
You want plenty of compartments
Despite its compact dimensions, there are plenty of compartments to keep your console and various accessories neat and separated.
You want the ultimate protection
Given the soft materials, this isn’t a bag you’d want to chuck around or pile luggage onto.
You want the most game card slots
10 game card slots is pretty good, but there are Switch 2 cases out there featuring more.
Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 Case
As its name suggests, this PlayTrek product integrates a small case with a large one, featuring molds for your console, dock, power adapter, Joy-Cons, and a full-size controller. It has more game card slots than Belkin’s bag, too, and although the small case is soft, the large one is more of a hard shell. Read our full Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 Case review.
I tested Belkin’s travel bag for a couple of days, making sure to fill every compartment, fasten every zip, and adjust the strap length across its full range, as well as attaching it to both hook points. I carried it around on my commutes, fully loaded with the Switch 2 and numerous accessories.
I filled the bag with cables, manuals, and the Joy-Con 2s. I also stored the console with the CRKD Nitro Deck 2 attached to test the capacity of the console storage compartment.
- Read more about how we test
- First reviewed: October 2026