The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) launches first major cryptocurrency investigation into suspected fraud.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) today issued an appeal for investors to come forward with any information they hold about the collapse of a $28 million cryptocurrency scheme called Basis Markets.

The SFO launched an investigation into the suspected fraudulent scheme with two raids in West Yorkshire and London.

The executive summary distils the key findings from ACCA’s global research into what’s changed, what’s broken, and what’s needed to combat fraud in today’s environment. From cyber-enabled crimes, AI-driven deception and crypto-related schemes to increasingly pervasive procurement fraud and behavioural schemes such as investment and romance scams, today’s threats interact across systems and value chains, creating blind spots that traditional controls fail to address. Fraud has evolved from isolated incidents to widespread deception that mutates faster than risk registers can capture. The report shows how the convergence of Web 3.0, accelerating AI and sophisticated global crime networks creates threats outpacing most organisations’ ability to respond.

https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/professional-insights/risk/combatting-fraud.html

This Public Authorities Fraud, Error and Recovery Bill marks a significant milestone in strengthening integrity and accountability across the public sector.

 Key Benefits:

> Enhanced Powers to Recover Losses: Public authorities will have clearer legal tools to reclaim funds lost to fraud or error, protecting taxpayer money.

> Improved Deterrence: By closing loopholes and streamlining recovery processes, the Bill sends a strong message that fraud will not be tolerated.

> Greater Efficiency: Simplified mechanisms reduce administrative burden, enabling faster action and better resource allocation.

> Public Confidence: Reinforcing trust in public institutions by ensuring transparency and robust safeguards against misuse of funds.

This legislation isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating a culture of responsibility and resilience in public finance.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-authorities-fraud-error-and-recovery-bill-2025-factsheets/public-authorities-fraud-error-and-recovery-bill-overview-factsheet

Some £1.16 billion worth of fraudulent general insurance claims were identified in 2024 – a 2% increase on the £1.14 billion detected the previous year – according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Insurers uncovered over 98,400 fraud-related claims in 2024, a 12% rise from 88,100 in 2023, according to the ABI’s figures.

Some 51,700 motor insurance scams worth £576 million were detected. This is 5% more than in 2023 and equates to more than half (53%) of detected bogus claims last year.

Summary

Economic crime has garnered significant attention in both the media and political arenas over the last few years. This Home Office study sheds new light on relatively under-examined areas within the broad spectrum of economic crime – UK businesses’ experiences of fraud, corruption, and money laundering, as well as covering breaches of financial sanctions. The Economic Crime Survey 2024 explores the scale, response, impact and costs of these experiences, and businesses’ risk perceptions and preparedness in relation to these crime types.

Artificial intelligence (AI) “will dominate the next four to five years” of the fraud landscape, the UK’s minister with responsibility for tackling fraud has said this week at a conference in London.

Lord Hanson, who was appointed as the UK’s first minister with responsibility for tackling fraud after the Labour Party won last year’s general election in July, is overseeing the development of a new strategy to guide national efforts from 2026 to 2029. The strategy was due to be published this year but the timetable has slipped to “early January” next year.

https://www.globalgovernmentfintech.com/ai-dominate-next-four-five-years-fraud-uk-fraud-minister-lord-hanson/

Recent high-profile cyberattacks on British businesses underscore the need to elevate cybersecurity on the political agenda and prepare for rapidly escalating threats from both hostile states and criminal actors.

As countries gather in Hanoi to sign the first-ever UN binding treaty on cybercrime, the UK’s National Cyber  Security  Centre (NCSC) has issued a sobering assessment of the cyberthreats facing the country.

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/10/uk-must-prioritize-cybersecurity-or-be-left-dangerously-exposed

In this insight, we explore the UK’s proposed ransomware legislation and what it could mean for organisations. We look at three key proposals: a potential ban on ransom payments, a regime to prevent payments under certain conditions, and mandatory incident reporting. The article also considers how these changes could affect cyber response planning, legal risk, and business continuity.

The UK moved a step closer to introducing new ransomware payment law following the Home Office's consultation response published in July. The proposals are part of a wider approach to address cyber threats to the economy and national security, which include a pipeline of guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) (see our insight on the NCSC's Cyber Governance Code of Practice).

https://gowlingwlg.com/en-gb/insights-resources/articles/2025/cybersecurity-are-you-prepared-to-report-ransom-payments

A network of corrupt company directors has been jailed for more than 70 years after they were caught planning an elaborate multi-million-pound tax fraud during clandestine meetings.

The company at the heart of the fraud, Winnington Networks Ltd (WNL), deliberately understated how much VAT was owed to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between 2011 and 2014.

https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/hm-revenue-customs-hmrc/pressreleases/directors-planned-ps20m-tax-fraud-at-secret-meetings-3411309

A man has been put behind bars after being involved in laundering over £5.3million in cash.

Gurmeet Handa, from Little Aston, has been jailed after a complex joint investigation led officers to uncovering a sophisticated international money laundering operation orchestrated by Handa.

https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/news/west-midlands/news/news/2025/october/jail-for-man-who-laundered-over-5million-in-cash/