Disruption unit launched by Government in crackdown on fraud

The Online Crime Centre forms part of a new and expanded Fraud Strategy, which sets out how the Government will disrupt fraudsters and protect the public. Circa £250 million will be invested over the next three years to fight fraud. In what’s a major upgrade to Britain’s defences, the police and companies that hold vital intelligence on scams will work side by side, sharing data instantly and building a single picture of global fraud networks.

Backed by over £30 million in funding, the Online Crime Centre will identify the accounts, websites and phone numbers that organised crime groups rely on and shut them down at scale, blocking scam texts, freezing criminal accounts, removing scam social media accounts and disrupting operations at source. The highest harm offenders will be actively pursued.

The new Fraud Strategy emerges as one-in-14 adults, and one-in-four businesses, have become the victims of fraud, which costs the economy upwards of £14 billion per annum. The Government is bidding to shut down the tools criminals exploit, shore up the UK’s defences and boost support for victims.

Industrialising operations

Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said: “Fraudsters are exploiting new technology, industrialising their operations and targeting the British public at scale. That’s why we’re bringing together the key players in the system – the police, intelligence agencies, banks, mobile networks, regulators and tech companies – to shut down the scammers’ channels.”

Lord Hanson added: “Our new Fraud Strategy sets out how we will use every tool at our disposal to disrupt and dismantle criminal operations, bring fraudsters to justice and strengthen protection and support for victims.”

The news follows the rise in overseas scam compounds operating across South East Asia, West Africa, Eastern Europe, India and China: all of them places where fraud is scripted and scaled to target thousands of victims at once.

With figures showing over two-thirds of scams originate from abroad, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will drive global leadership in the fight against scammers at the Global Fraud Summit in Vienna.

Agreements with Nigeria and Vietnam to share intelligence to bear down on fraud have already resulted in multiple arrests and scam compounds being taken down in the past year. Empowered by the intelligence picture provided by the Online Crime Centre, the Government will “relentlessly pursue” new opportunities to take out organised crime and partner with countries where fraud targeting the UK is on the rise.

The Fraud Strategy also sets out how Government will back law enforcement to deploy Artificial Intelligence to spot emerging fraud patterns, stop suspicious bank transfers faster and use scam-baiting chatbots to trick fraudsters and gather intelligence before using the latter to bring them to justice.

Stronger response

James Babbage, director general (threats) at the National Crime Agency, noted: “Over the last three years, the National Crime Agency has been building a stronger response to fraud. However, the threat will continue to grow globally. The launch of the new Fraud Strategy provides the basis for a further step change in our collective work to protect the public from these criminals.”

Babbage went on to state: “We’ve worked intensively with partners to pilot a range of new approaches to fraud and cyber crime: sharing data, stopping and blocking more online crime at source and helping to design out vulnerabilities through more resilient industry processes. We’re looking forward to working with partners across the public and private sectors as part of the new Online Crime Centre in order to continue this momentum.”

Pete O’Doherty, City of London Police Commissioner and the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for cyber and economic crime, explained: “We are transforming the national policing response to fraud and cyber crime with an inspection regime. Working alongside His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services, we’re ensuring that every police force is making fraud a priority, but we do need the wider industry collaboration set out in this new Fraud Strategy to stop the criminals.”

Further, O’Doherty stated: “We’re embedding Report Fraud and building the best crime intelligence law enforcement has ever seen, which will feed the Online Crime Centre and provide crucial data to disrupt fraud and cyber crime.”

Clear national standards

Victims will also receive stronger support under the new Fraud Strategy through the establishment of clear national standards for how every victim is treated. A new Fraud Victims Charter will set out response times, minimum standards of care and consistent advice on reimbursement and recovery in a hid to ensure members of the public receive the same service no matter where they live.

A dedicated network of police ‘PROTECT’ officers – charged with helping those most vulnerable to fraud – will ramp up targeted support in fraud ‘hotspots’ right across the country. Using data from the new Report Fraud service, police officers will spearhead a campaign of targeted prevention – from doorstep advice to installing call-blocking devices in vulnerable homes and businesses – to ensure those at heightened risk are protected.

Fraudsters will also face swifter justice and tougher financial penalties under reforms being considered as part of the Fraud Strategy to speed up court processes and strengthen the use of civil powers.

The Fraud Strategy 2026-2029 introduces a new system-wide approach to disrupt fraudsters and ensure the response is co-ordinated, technology-driven and international to match the threat now being confronted. Responsibility for delivery will sit between Government, regulators, law enforcement and industry.

Comment from the FCA and the CPS

Steve Smart, executive director at the Financial Conduct Authority and lead for fighting financial crime, commented: “Fighting financial crime is essential for protecting consumers and firms, as well as preventing criminals from undermining confidence in the financial system. We support the Government’s new Fraud Strategy, which sets out a blueprint for partners working together, at home and abroad, to crack down on the problem.”

Smart concluded: “The success of the Fraud Strategy will depend on everyone – Government, regulators, law enforcement and industry, including tech firms – playing their part.”

Hannah von Dadleszen, chief crown prosecutor leading on fraud for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), stated: “Fraud is a distressing and disruptive crime. It has a long-lasting effect on victims and the CPS is committed to bringing those who perpetrate it to justice.”

In addition, von Dadleszen said: “Stronger investigative capability, better intelligence sharing and a continued focus on international co-operation mean that we can build more robust cases against the organised crime groups directing these operations. Adopting a whole-system approach – from investigation through to prosecution and sentencing – is the right way to tackle the threat of fraud.”