Reformed fraudster to provide ‘unique insight’ in fraud prevention initiative

He will work alongside a retired detective chief superintendent from the Metropolitan Police Service in the fraud prevention project, providing personal experience of the “tradecraft and methodology of fraudsters”.

The project has been launched by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI) in partnership with the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime.

Pete Barron, Police CPI’s fraud prevention lead, admitted: “I’ve received a number of challenges in deciding to work with a reformed fraudster. It was an ethical dilemma and not an easy decision.

“In the end I had to weigh up the potential criticism from others, against the potentially unique insight that he provides. Only time will tell.”

He added: “Fraud is evolving faster than any other type of crime. The growing use of artificial intelligence is already being used by fraudsters who have entered something of an ‘arms race’ in using this technology for evil, rather than for good.

“If, between us, our unusual partnership can assist in preventing people and businesses becoming victims, I think it will be very worthwhile.

“The old saying that ‘knowledge is power’ is very true here and I honestly believe that improving knowledge is the key to protecting yourself, your loved ones and/or your business.”

As part of the project, a range of resources highlighting exactly how fraudsters operate will be published, alongside practical crime prevention advice to reduce the chances of both Londoners and businesses becoming a victim of fraud.

Drawing upon the views and experience of the reformed fraudster, Police CPI will also publish a series of blogs that will explain the tradecraft and methodology of fraudsters across a variety of fraud types to better equip people and help protect them from becoming a victim of fraud.

Using appropriate and easily understood language that engages the audience, it will provide a useful insight into the secret world of the fraudster so that the many learning outcomes embedded within the text will reduce victim numbers.

Fraud is the most common form of crime in England and Wales, accounting for 40 per cent of reported offences, although it is widely accepted that many victims do not report the crime to police.

“Nevertheless, it continues to grow at an alarming rate,” said Police CPI. “Law enforcement’s finite resources are pulled in every direction; financial services have competing demands and emerging technology runs rings around legacy IT systems designed to combat the threats posed ten-plus years ago.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales for the year ending March 2023 estimated that there were 3.5 million fraud offences committed in the previous 12 months, with the UK Finance Annual Fraud Report recording that more than £1.2 billion was stolen through fraud in 2022, with much fraud initiated from criminal activity taking place through online platforms and telecommunications.

Police CPI says fraud continues to pose a “real threat to London’s economy and jobs”.

Over the past 13 months, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau showed that 57,189 individuals reported cybercrime and fraud to the police in London, with losses of £525 million. However, evidence suggests fewer than 35 per cent of service users report to the police, and, the actual picture in London is believed to be nearer to 163,400 individuals with losses of £1.5 billion.

Even if a victim reports a fraud to the police and/or Action Fraud, there are few realistic investigative opportunities and many victims don’t bother reporting it at all, says Police CPI. Fewer than a third of victims (32 per cent) report fraud to the authorities, according to research released by National Trading Standards, with many victims feeling too embarrassed to even tell a relative or friend.

Four fraud guides, two aimed at the individual and two aimed at businesses, will be published with each giving examples of how fraudsters operate, how to identify suspicious behaviour, and of course how people and businesses can prevent themselves becoming a victim (see https://www.policecpi.com/fraud).

Pete Barron, Police CPI’s fraud prevention lead, said: “The current situation could be described as a ‘perfect storm’ for fraudsters; There are too many scammers, too few cops, and a general lack of knowledge and understanding about what fraudsters do.

“It is this that fraudsters mercilessly exploit. If you have not yet been a victim of fraud yourself, I am confident that you will know someone who has.

“The majority of fraud involves online activity of some description which results in very few investigative opportunities for the few trained investigators that exist.

“The numbers are only heading in one direction, and having seen the real trauma experienced by victims, it seems to me that helping prevent people and businesses becoming victims in the first place must play a major part of any long-term plan.”

Sophie Linden, London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “Fraud is a devastating crime for Londoners and businesses, and fraudsters continue to adapt and evolve new ways to exploit people for their own financial gain.

“The mayor has invested to help keep Londoners safe from these crimes, including a new partnership with the Cyber Helpline to support victims of these crimes, and funding for London’s first dedicated Cyber Resilience Centre – helping small business to keep themselves safe online.

“We’re proud to support the vital work of Police CPI in keeping Londoners safe.

“While frauds can often involve complex schemes and technologies, often some simple practical advice can be all you need to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

“These new resources from Police CPI vividly illustrate the risks to look out for and the steps you can take to keep you, your family or your business safe.”

In December 2023, the Mayor of London made an additional £170,000 investment as part of his support to victims of cybercrime, digital fraud and online harm.

The new investment is part of a one-year pilot to boost the reach and capacity of the award-winning charity ‘The Cyber Helpline’, which has already helped 600,000 people nationally since 2020 and directly supported more than 40,000 victims.

The new dedicated helpline team, funded by the mayor, will provide Londoners with free expert advice on cybercrime – including specialist one-to-one support for victims. The service works via a secure chatbot on the website, recording and processing requests for help and advice 24 hours a day and passing them on to a dedicated London team for one-to-one phone and email contact as needed.

The majority of The Cyber Helpline’s cases have been about online harassment, cyberstalking, sextortion and hacked social media accounts, with fewer than 35 per cent of those seeking help reporting their cases to police.