New National Fraud Squad Targets UK Scammers
The government’s latest bid to beat fraud just landed – a crack squad of 400 specialist investigators is set to hunt down scammers and shut them down for good.
Meet the National Fraud Squad: an elite force using cutting-edge intelligence to smash fraud rings exploiting millions of Brits every day. Working hand-in-hand with local police, international partners, and the UK intelligence community, this team means business.
Fraud: The UK’s Biggest Crime
It’s official – fraud tops the crime charts in the UK, with 1 in 15 people caught out and losses soaring close to £7 billion yearly. Online scams are rampant too, with 9 out of 10 internet users encountering deceitful trickery.
The new Fraud Strategy unveiled today aims to stop criminals evolving faster than the law.
Stronger Defences Against Scams
- Cold calls banned on all financial products, including dodgy insurance and fake crypto schemes
- Crackdown on ‘number spoofing’ to block fraudsters faking UK phone numbers
- Ban on ‘SIM farms’ and tighter controls on mass texting services used by scammers
- A brand-new, £30 million revamped online reporting system to help victims get quick updates and justice
Seventy per cent of UK fraud has an overseas angle, so the UK will lead global efforts with the first-ever global fraud summit hosted by the Home Secretary.
Leaders Pledge to Smash Scams
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak: “Scammers ruin lives in seconds, deceiving people in the most despicable ways to line their pockets. We’ll take the fight to these fraudsters wherever they hide – blocking scams at the source and boosting protections to stop more crimes and deliver justice.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman: “Fraud steals hard-earned cash, shakes confidence, and fuels organised crime and terrorism. Scammers evolve with tech – our new Fraud Strategy uses every tool to catch them, intercept scams, and bring criminals to justice.”
New Anti-Fraud Champion and Industry Action
Anthony Browne MP, new Anti-Fraud Champion and ex-CEO of the British Banking Association, said:
“Fraud is the UK’s biggest crime, causing emotional and financial pain. Tech firms, phone companies, and banks must step up to stop scams at the source. We’ll use new technology to fight fraudsters and work closely with industry to make it happen.”
Banks can now delay suspicious payments longer, keeping money away from fraudsters. Social media giants like TikTok and Snapchat are making it easier to report scams with quick-click options, spreading this across all platforms soon.
Extra Measures and Police Backing
- Support for victims locally across England and Wales through the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit
- Independent review to speed up justice and toughen sentences for scammers
- Deploying UK intelligence to target overseas fraudsters
- Publishing regular data on scam content online to force platforms into action
This builds on current steps:
- Legislation requiring banks to refund victims of authorised fraud
- Making fraud a priority for police forces nationwide
- £400 million law enforcement investment for economic crime over three years
- New rules under the Online Safety Bill forcing tech companies to tackle scams and publish transparency reports
Graeme Biggar, National Crime Agency Director General: “We will hit fraudsters where it hurts, disrupt their networks, expose their identities, and protect the public from criminals increasingly operating online and abroad.”
Angela McLaren, City of London Police Commissioner: “Tackling fraud demands teamwork. We welcome this strategy and investment to pursue fraudsters and cut the harm they cause.”
The UK’s crackdown on fraud has officially begun. Scam carriers beware – your days are numbered!
