Over 400 Crooks Nabbed in Massive Fraud Bust
More than 400 fraudsters have been arrested in a major crackdown led by the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) and City of London Police. The sweeping operation targeted scammers across England, Wales, and beyond.
Operation Henhouse Strikes Again
This was the third round of the multi-agency Operation Henhouse, running throughout February. For the first time, it involved all forces across England and Wales.
- City of London Police arrested 10 suspects, executed 12 search warrants, seized £548,000 in cash, and froze £287,000 via Account Freezing Orders.
- Another force froze £2 million in assets and made 15 arrests.
- Greater Manchester Police and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit charged two men over a bogus banking scheme.
- National Economic Crime Centre backed Serious Fraud Office investigations, including the probe into the Signature Group.
NECC Director Praises Efforts
“Operation Henhouse shows the power of police forces working together,” said Searle, Director of the NECC. “The National Crime Agency and partners across the country have done a brilliant job, seizing millions in criminal assets and arresting over 400 fraudsters in just one month.” “Our strategy is paying off. Fraud is down 13% in England and Wales. This government is committed to rooting out fraudsters and protecting the public.”
Protect Yourself Against Fraud
Don’t become the next victim. Follow these simple steps to guard your online accounts:
- Create strong, unique passwords for every account.
- Always enable two-step verification where possible.
- Use your browser’s password manager to store passwords safely.
Beware of scammers pretending to be trusted companies or contacts. If you get strange requests for money or personal info, always verify by contacting the organisation directly using official website details.
If you fall prey to fraud, report it immediately: www.actionfraud.police.uk. In Scotland, call 101 or contact Police Scotland. Alert your bank to protect your account.
For more advice, visit stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk.
