The DVLA has issued a warning over a "widespread" scam that's so realistic millions of drivers are falling for it. Motorists and road users are falling for a swindle from con artists and fraudsters as we head towards Christmas, the motoring group has warned.

The DVLA has issued an alert over the scam, which has been reported more than 1,100 times in just two weeks. The fake messages purport to be from the DVLA and are trying to chase up motorists for car tax or Vehicle Excise Duty which is unpaid.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/dvla-warns-over-widespread-scam-165416045.html

With many of us spending more time shopping online, it is more important than ever to do so safely.

Action Fraud the National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre have put together some guidance on shopping online and how to avoid scam websites to purchase items safely.

1. Be careful where you shop

2. Pay for things online with a credit card

3. Only give enough details to complete your purchase

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/news-campaigns/news/2024/nov/3-tips-for-shopping-online-safely-from-action-fraud

The much-anticipated new corporate criminal offence of failure to prevent fraud was introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

Its commencement was conditional on the government publishing guidance and that was issued on November 6 2024, and a regulation was laid before parliament on the same date that will make the offence effective from September 2025.

https://www.ftadviser.com/financial-fraud/2024/11/13/the-net-has-drastically-widened-for-corporate-criminal-liability/

Last year alone, mobile network operators successfully blocked over one billion scam messages, safeguarding their customers from potential harm. This significant achievement is a testament to the industry's ongoing commitment to protecting consumers.

https://www.politicshome.com/members/article/uk-mobile-industry-blocks-one-billion-scam-messages

The UK may look to follow the lead of the US in introducing a whistleblowing reward scheme in a bid to combat corporate crime.

US Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco recently announced a new Department of Justice-run corporate whistleblower rewards pilot programme, highlighting the critical role whistleblowers play in uncovering corporate misconduct. The new pilot programme also aims to encourage more corporate self-reporting.

https://www.pinsentmasons.com/en-gb/out-law/news/us-whistleblowing-reward-scheme-reignites-calls-for-uk-reform

The number of HMRC investigations into serious tax fraud and avoidance has fallen to the lowest level in six years, new figures show.

Total investigations, known as Code of Practice eight and nine cases, fell from 1,091 in 2022-23 to 480 in 2023-24, according to the Financial Times.

Cop9 probes, which encompass the most serious tax cases such as the Hirst brothers and Bernie Ecclestone, fell from 669 in 2019-19 to 268 in 2023-24.

https://www.cityam.com/hmrc-probes-into-serious-tax-fraud-and-avoidance-fall-to-lowest-level-in-six-years/

Platforms luring drivers with low-cost policies.

Aviva has reported that nearly one-third (30%) of young drivers have unknowingly purchased invalid car insurance from illegal operators on social media platforms, according to a survey of 2,000 drivers in the 17-25 age bracket.

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/auto-motor/aviva-finds-rise-in-ghost-broking-scams-among-young-social-media-users-513305.aspx

Organised crime behind 40% of motor insurance fraud in 2024.

A new report from Direct Line Group (DLG) indicates that organised crime rings account for 40% of motor insurance fraud in 2024, a significant jump from 25% in 2023. The findings point to increasingly sophisticated schemes, placing motorists and insurers on high alert as fraud levels escalate.

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/claims/there-is-an-epidemic-of-criminals-committing-insurance-fraud-513105.aspx

New asset confiscation enforcement team and upgrade to SFO’s disclosure technology outlined in the budget in a bid to crackdown on fraud says Attorney General.

• Serious Fraud Office to receive additional funding to create a new team to improve ability to seize assets and returns to taxpayers and upgrade disclosure capabilities
• Additional funding will be provided to make improvements to SFO’s case management system

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fraud-crackdown-as-government-provides-funding-to-sfo

Big businesses have nine months to implement fraud prevention procedures, with the Serious Fraud Office director warning that “time is now running short for corporations to get their house in order”.

Today, the Home Office published its guidelines on the offence of failure to prevent fraud.

https://www.cityam.com/get-your-house-in-order-says-sfo-boss-as-corporate-fraud-countdown-begins/