Fraud is Britain's biggest crime - we must make scammers pay

"Fraudsters are adapting faster than ever to our increasingly digital world. From online shopping scams and investment fraud to attacks on businesses and charities, criminals are exploiting new vulnerabilities across society. Fraud now accounts for more than 40 per cent of crime in England and Wales, costing billions each year and devastating lives. Tackling this threat is not just a policing challenge it must be a national political priority."

"With this week's launch of Report Fraud a joint venture between the City of London Police, City of London Corporation, and the Home Office - we now have a decisive service to strike back, protect victims, and safeguard the UK's financial and digital infrastructure. As Chair of the body that oversees the force, this is a responsibility I take seriously, and one the City of London Police - as National Lead Force for fraud - has been preparing for over many years."

"Fraud is not a victimless crime. It disproportionately affects the most vulnerable, erodes trust in institutions, and drains savings. When I speak to victims, I hear the same story repeatedly: shock, shame, and the feeling that their world has suddenly become unsafe. Tijs Broeke, chair of the City of London Police Authority Board In an economy increasingly reliant on digital services and online banking, every scam prevented, every criminal network disrupted, strengthens confidence in our financial systems and public institutions."

Fraudsters are rapidly adapting to the digital world, exploiting online shopping, investment, business, and charity vulnerabilities. Fraud accounts for more than 40% of crime in England and Wales, costing billions yearly and devastating lives. The City of London Police combines intelligence, specialist investigation, and victim support and has launched Report Fraud, a joint service with the City Corporation and Home Office to protect victims and safeguard financial and digital infrastructure. Fraud disproportionately affects the most vulnerable, erodes institutional trust, and drains savings; victims commonly report shock, shame, and insecurity. Prevention and industrial-scale cooperation among banks, technology firms, and telecoms are essential to disrupt organised criminal networks.

Read at www.standard.co.uk