Fraud is the most common type of crime – 38 per cent of all crime committed in England and Wales last year was fraud. It costs money, weakens our economic security and ruins lives.

Last night, I welcomed ministers from the G7 and Five Eyes countries, global law enforcement agencies, tech companies and industry partners to Guildhall as part of the government’s Global Fraud Summit.

Now fraud might not hit the headlines all that often, but that does not mean it is any less damaging to the victims. The government estimates that fraud costs society £6.8bn. That’s money saved by families for that special holiday or by a business looking to expand. Fraud is not a victimless crime, and we should not treat it as such.

https://www.cityam.com/fraud-isnt-a-victimless-crime-and-we-mustnt-treat-it-as-though-it-is/

LONDON (AP) — Nearly three dozen bodies were removed from a funeral home in northern England, and a man and woman were arrested Sunday on suspicion of fraud and preventing a lawful burial, police said.

Humberside Police announced the developments after five days of investigation at three branches of Legacy Funeral Directors in Hull and East Yorkshire.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/police-remove-34-bodies-english-184154487.html/

Officials are warning people to remain vigilant over ‘mystery box’ scam emails.

Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, has received more than 7,902 reports about scam emails impersonating well-known retail brands.

The emails claim to be giving away a ‘mystery box’ containing free prizes.

The links in the emails lead to malicious websites designed to steal personal and financial information.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/officials-warn-people-vigilant-over-050000627.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw&tsrc=twtr

Companies House implements robust measures, including enhanced data checks and criminal penalties, to combat fraud and misinformation

In a ground-breaking move, Companies House has initiated the first phase of implementing new powers granted by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCT Act) on March 4, 2024. Aimed at enhancing data quality and curbing misuse of the companies register, these measures signify the most significant change in Companies House's 180-year history.

https://www.solicitorsjournal.com/sjarticle/companies-house-empowered-to-combat-fraud-new-measures-under-economic-crime-act-take-effect

New Companies House regime aims to improve data quality and counter misuse – a timely introduction as banks are on high alert due to a spike in potential fraudulent company filings.

Companies House has gained new powers this week to improve the quality of its data and beef up its ability to prevent fraud within the companies’ register. The move comes after the UK’s banks were alerted to possible rogue filings at the register.

Announcements from the UK government and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) show aims of enhancing governance in cyber security control management systems with hopes of more appropriate protection for firms, an expert has said.

https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/news/uk-government-calls-enhanced-cyber-security-system-governance

Organised criminal groups are switching from riskier drug rackets to fraud in the EU and many don't hesitate to use violence to protect their activities, the bloc's chief prosecutor told AFP in an interview.

Laura Kovesi said that value-added tax (VAT) fraud accounted for 59 percent of the estimated 19 billion euros ($21 billion) in damage to the EU budget arising from cases opened for investigation last year by her European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).

https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/crime-groups-shifting-fraud-schemes-093811328.html/

The UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has indicated that it intends to utilise existing but less commonly used powers to grant immunity notices to offenders who assist in its cases, and support reduced sentences to defendants who provide evidence to enable other prosecutions.

https://www.scotsman.com/business/fraud-investigations-look-likely-to-be-stepped-up-tom-stocker-4537899

New Lloyds Bank data shows that impersonation scams have risen 13% over the past year.

An impersonation scam is where a fraudster convinces their victim to make a payment, or give personal or financial details, by pretending to be someone else.

Scammers frequently impersonate police officers, bank staff and HMRC, although they may also pretend to be from a large company like Amazon.

https://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/media/press-releases/2024/lloyds-bank-2024/lloyds-bank-issues-warning-on-impersonation-scams-as-they-rise-thirteen-percent.html

Due to high demand, Surrey and Sussex Police are expanding their monthly webinars about Cyber Security and Online Fraud. For further information and to register for upcoming webinars please see the following link: Online Safety and Cyber Security Webinars | Eventbrite

The webinars are delivered by the Protect Officer for Surrey and Sussex Police Cyber Crime Unit to empower people with knowledge to navigate the digital world safely.

https://www.blunt4reigate.com/news/surrey-and-sussex-police-expand-monthly-cyber-security-and-online-fraud-webinars-due-high