Frauds

Dawn raids by the Serious Fraud Office have led to four arrests in an investigation into a £140m property investment scheme.

SFO director Nick Ephgrave, in his first public speech earlier this month, stated that the SFO has 'already gone through more front doors in the last three months than in the last three years'.

RISING numbers of fraudsters hoodwinking vulnerable residents into parting with cash will see a new campaign rolled out across Barnsley to combat criminals preying on victims.

According to South Yorkshire Police, an older person is a victim of fraud every 40 seconds and the typical targets of so-called ‘courier fraud’ are individuals over the age of 70.

Four men have been charged with theft and fraud offences in south London as a result of an investigation by the local proactive team based in Southwark.

The following men were charged today (Tuesday, 27 February) with conspiracy to dishonestly receive stolen goods (namely mobile telephones) and conspiracy to commit fraud by making a false representation between 28 December 2022 and 26 February 2024:

Action Fraud has revealed thousands of people were hit by holiday scams in 2023. Here's how to protect yourself from fraud.

Holidaymakers have been told to be vigilant when seeking out summer getaway deals after thousands of prospective travellers were hit by fraud in 2023, a new police campaign has warned.

https://moneyweek.com/personal-finance/holiday-scams-warning-police

Sun seekers looking to book their summer getaway are being warned to look out for fraudulent deals, as new data released today shows victims lost a staggering £12.3 million to holiday fraud last year.

Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting service, has launched a holiday fraud campaign ahead of the summer months, urging holiday goers to play it safe online and do their research before booking their trip.

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/news/dont-lose-out-before-flying-out-action-fraud-urge-holiday-makers-to-watch-out-for-fraudsters-online

A couple who used more than £200,000 of social care payments meant for their disabled son to fund their own "extravagant lifestyle" have been spared jail.

Rebecca and Simon Toloui claimed the money from Suffolk County Council between 2015 and 2019, committing what is thought to be "one of the largest direct payment frauds".

Scammers have sent out hundreds of bogus emails over the past few weeks, impersonating life insurance companies.

Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, has received over 800 reports of fraudulent emails purporting to be from reputable life insurance companies.

Consumer watchdog Foodwatch said it was filing a legal complaint Wednesday against food giant Nestle and another group over them allegedly fraudulently treating water for their top mineral water brands.

A government probe reported by media last month said about 30 percent of mineral water sold in France had undergone purification treatment only meant to be used on tap water.

We are pleased that our Crimestoppers Yorkshire romance fraud campaign audio advert won CCUK Audio Ad of The Year 2023.

The campaign was launched across Yorkshire last November, to warn people using dating apps to be aware of the harm caused by so-called romance fraudsters.

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/news-campaigns/news/2024/feb/crimestoppers-yorkshire-romance-fraud-campaign-advert-wins-national-award

An article in The Guardian this week will concern many of those involved in the letting process, especially renters who run the risk of having their savings stolen.

A teacher who was attempting to rent a property in north London has warned others to be on their guard if their mobile phone suddenly stops working. Fraudsters apparently used the ID information she had given to a letting agent to first take over her phone and then clean out her bank account.