Programme outlined for Cifas Fraud Conference 2026

The Cifas Fraud Conference is free to attend for members of the organisation, but places are limited. In previous years, the event has been fully booked with registrations closing weeks in advance. Don’t miss the opportunity to join the organisation for what is a first-class programme. Register online.

Following registration at the venue on the day (which takes place from 8.30 am-9.30 am), conference begins with a series of keynote speeches and discussion around the fraud picture globally and, importantly, its impact on the UK.

The Welcoming Address is to be delivered by Mike Hayley (CEO at Cifas). Next to speak is Lord Hanson, Minister of State at the Home Office, who’s tasked with realising the Keynote Address.

BAFTA-winning presenter, author and investigative journalist Nick Stapleton is set to concentrate on the subject of ‘How to Beat the Scammers’. In a similar vein, Erin West is going to deliver a presentation under the headline ‘Operation Shamrock: The Fight Against the Scam Industry’.

Immediately prior to the first coffee and networking break of the day (which begins at 11.00 am), an essential panel session focuses on ‘The Global Picture’ in relation to fraud. Chaired by Gaby Devereux (director of innovation at Cifas), the participants include Jorij Abraham (managing director at GASA), Fran Dowling from the Home Office, Oliver Gadney (programme co-ordinator for UNODC) and Steve Rodhouse (director general for threats at the NECC).

Landscape in the UK

From 11.25 am until lunch at 1.15 pm, conference will take a closer look at the current fraud landscape in the UK and hear all about the industry’s perspective.

‘Banking’s View of the World’ will be discussed by Elizabeth Ziegler (director of fraud for the consumer segment at Lloyds Banking Group). Next up is a fireside chat concerning ‘Refund Fraud and the Growth of First Party Fraud’. Those sector professionals taking part are Dr David Shepherd (senior lecturer from the University of Portsmouth) and Simon Miller (director of policy, strategy and communications for Cifas).

‘What are the Current Threats?’ is the topic of choice to be debated by Janine Hirt (CEO at Innovate Finance) and Tom Bell (UK country lead on customer trust and external relations for Amazon), with Paul Maskall (head of policy and strategic engagement at Cifas) serving as session chair.

The immediate pre-lunch session witnesses the launch of the Financial Crimes Podcast. Speaking will be Mike Haley, who’s joined by Tony Sales (co-founder of We Fight FinCrime) and crime journalist Kate Hemmingway.

Combating fraud: the solutions

The afternoon sessions play out from 2.10 pm until 4.00 pm. Here, conference concludes by asking what the fraud prevention community can do to combat the ongoing scourge of fraud, while also examining fraud’s impact on its victims.

Chaired by Mike Haley, there’s a panel session titled ‘Making Good the Harm’. Speakers include Mina Chiang (founder and director of the Humanity Research Consultancy), Vicki Shotbolt (founder and CEO of Parentzone) and Oliver Roskill (co-founder and chief operating officer of The Hacking Games).

‘What are the Solutions’ is the final panel session. With Sophie Lennox (director of product at Cifas) chairing proceedings, those taking part include Georgios Kolovos (payments and FinTech leader for Nvidia), Murray McKenzie (director of transformation at Virgin Media O2) and also a representative from Mastercard.

Closing the day will be a delivery from ethical hacker and scam baiter Jim Browning. Networking drinks begin at 4.00 pm and conclude an hour later.

Booking details

As stated, conference is free to attend for Cifas members, but delegate spaces are going to be limited.

Cifas members who wish to register can do so online.

*Further information is available online at www.cifas.org.uk