The threat from fraud
Fraud is largely underreported and the CSEW (Crime Survey of England and Wales) estimates only 14% of cases are being reported to Report Fraud or the police by victims.
Many frauds impacting UK victims have an overseas element. The cyber-enabled nature of many frauds and the methods used to launder the criminal proceedings often involve multiple jurisdictions. It is estimated that 67% of fraud reported in the UK is cyber-enabled.
The priority frauds impacting the UK are investment fraud, romance fraud, courier fraud and payment division fraud. Victim harm from all remains high.
Further information on the different fraud types can be found at https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk.
Criminals continue to search for innovative ways to reduce the effectiveness of countermeasures. And they are adopting generative artificial intelligence to enhance the sophistication of fraud attacks against individuals and businesses.
Criminals involved in fraud leverage social, political and economic events to target victims and exploit online services, social media and crypto assets to conduct a wide range of frauds. They conceal their identities and destinations of the proceeds of fraud. Financial losses to fraud could lead to more serious financial difficulties and even psychological harm for victims.
The population's routine dependence on online services continues to provide opportunities for fraud offenders to target victims, sustaining the UK's vulnerability to fraud, industry prevention measures continue to contain the threat from fraud to some extent, but some fraud types, such as card-not-present fraud, are increasing.
Our response to fraud
The Home Office has oversight of the national strategy for fraud against individuals and businesses which seek to pursue more fraudsters, empower the public and stop and block at source.
NECC and NCA teams work with partners from across the public, private and third sectors to pursue serious and organised fraudsters, block fraud from happening, help people avoid and recover from fraud and wherever possible, return funds to victims.
City of London Police are the national lead police force for fraud. They investigate some of the UK's most complex cases of fraud, set the national strategy for policing and coordinate the operational response. They also host Report Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, on behalf of policing.
Our approach to tackling fraud is exemplified by Operation Henhouse, an annual fraud intensification bringing together every UK police force, Regional Organised Crime Units and national partners. The most recent iteration, Operation Henhouse 5, led to over 500 arrests and the seizures of assets and cash worth £18.1 million.
Across the past five years, Operation Henhouse has delivered 1,904 arrests, 1,737 cease and desists, and seizures and disruptions worth £67 million. These long-term results show the power of coordinated policing across the UK, and demonstrate how law enforcement is tackling fraud at scale. Protect yourself by knowing the signs of fraud: stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk
What you can do to help
Protect yourself by securing your accounts, data and devices
- Use a strong and different password for your email using 3 random words. Your email password should be strong and different from all your other passwords.
- Always use 2-step verification (2SV), where available, to protect your email account.
- Use your browser’s password manager to safely store your passwords.
Recognise and break suspicious contacts
- If you have any doubts about a message or phone call, contact the organisation directly to check. Use contact details from their official website – don’t use the numbers or address in the message.
Report the incident
- If you have received an email which you’re not quite sure about, forward it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service at report@phishing.gov.uk
- Report suspicious text messages and scam call numbers to 7726 (it’s free of charge). Your provider can find out where the text or call came from and block or ban the sender.
- If you see a suspicious ad in a paid-for space, you can report it to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) asa.org.uk.
- Report fraud or cyber crime at any time online via reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland by calling 101.
In an emergency always call 999. To report non-urgent crime please call your local police on 101. You can also report crime anonymously to Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.
Impersonation of NCA officers
Criminals may pretend to be from a legitimate organisation in order to deceive and put pressure on victims to make very quick decisions. This includes the impersonation of NCA officers. If you’re unsure about the identity of one of our officers, please call our control centre on 0370 496 7622 (available 24/7).
Crypto Dream Scam Nightmare
Crypto Investment Fraud sees members of the public, interested in growing their money, introduced to fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, where they are encouraged to send thousands of pounds as an 'investment'. Fake digital platforms make 'false investors' believe their money is growing, making extraordinary profits in a short period of time. The truth is the funds have been stolen by fraudsters. Victims have never been investors - their money has simply taken.
Working with the cryptocurrency industry, the NCA has produced Ten Tips to help the public identify a Crypto Investment Fraud before money is stolen. Read our ten tips here: pdf Crypto Dream Information Sheet (583 KB) . If you would like to warn your friends and family about the risk of Crypto Investment Fraud, you can share these videos below:
- Protect your money from Crypto Investment Fraud
- Warning against Crypto Investment Fraud
- Don't be a victim of Crypto Investment Fraud
Invoice Fraud
Invoice Fraud is one of the most common and costly forms of financial crime affecting individuals, families and businesses. Invoice Fraud happens when criminals deceive you into paying a fake invoice or diverting a genuine payment into their own bank account. Fraudsters can impersonate suppliers, intercept emails or send convincing invoices to generate immediate payments into their own accounts. The NCA and NatWest have worked together to provide the latest guidance on how to prevent Invoice Fraud. Read our info sheet to find out more and how to avoid the tactics of fraudsters: pdf Invoice fraud infosheet (212 KB)
Payment Diversion Fraud
Fraudsters are targeting property purchases to trick solicitors into sending money to the criminals' account. Payment Diversion Fraud (PDF) is on the rise, so solicitors and conveyancers should protect themselves from the risk of falling victim. The NCA and The Law Society have worked together to provide updated material on how to prevent PDF. Read our infosheet to find out more and how to avoid the tactics of fraudsters: pdf Payment Diversion Fraud Infosheet (271 KB)
