Charities

The Charity Commission has opened 603 investigations relating to fraud over the last year, its latest figures show.

It has also launched an additional 99 probes into charities hit by cybercrime issues.

The figures are for the period November 2023 and October 2024, which also reveal it received 264 serious incident reports relating to fraud.

To coincide with the release of these latest figures the regulator has announced it has published fresh guidance to protect charities from fraud and cyber-crime.

These replace the regulator’s previous guidance and are designed to be more concise and easier for trustees to use, it says. A shorter version has also been made available.

New guidance launched for charities on spotting and preventing fraud and cybercrime.

More than 600 cybercrime and fraud cases were reported to the Charity Commission in the last year.

Between November 2023 and October 2024, the Commission opened 603 cases relating to fraud and a further 99 cases relating to cyber crime issues.

This has led the Commission to launch new guidance, and a separate shorter guide on fraud. Developed with the support of the National Cyber Security Centre and their Small Charity Guide. It links to several free online training modules designed for charities of all sizes.

Two sisters who used a charity Gift Aid scam to steal almost £450,000 from the taxman while running Girl Guide groups have been jailed.

Sara and Jean Barnbrook defrauded the taxpayer out of hundreds of thousands of pounds by claiming repayments on non-existent donations over six years.

Leeds Crown Court heard Sara Barnbrook, 54, fraudulently claimed more than £482,000 in Gift Aid repayments – of which £446,000 was paid out.

Over the last few years, fraud has become an increasing area of concern for charities, with threats coming from both internal and external sources. The increased sophistication of cyber and digital fraud, cost of living pressures and political influences have all contributed to the rise in fraud attempts on charities.

Historically, charities often considered themselves immune from fraud attempts. However, recent high-profile instances, such as the British Library cyber attack, have challenged this assumption.

A former RSPCA trustee is accused of bankrolling more than £100,000 in hotel stays and taxi rides in a fraud on the animal charity’s money, a court has heard.

RSPCA trustee accused of fraud 'paid £100,000 for hotels and taxis from charity funds' (yahoo.com)

A former National Trust employee who defrauded the organisation out of more than £1million has today been jailed, after he appeared in Bristol Crown Court with his sons who laundered the proceeds of the fraud.

Ex-employee jailed after defrauding National Trust out of more than £1 million | The Crown Prosecution Service (cps.gov.uk)

Charity bosses conned into hiring agency workers who presented fake qualification certificates to gain work said they were shocked by the crime — and said their commitment to vulnerable users remains unwavering.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how Walsingham Support — which has offices in the city and in Workington — was the unwitting victim of fraud.

A former district treasurer of Shropshire's Scouting movement has admitted fraud and stealing £10,000 from the organisation.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/south-shropshire/2024/07/17/former-treasurer-admits-fraud-and-stealing-10000-from-shropshire-scouts/

A BARNSLEY man who allegedly abused his position as treasurer at Barnsley Animal Rescue Centre to gain more than £230,000 will appear at Sheffield Crown Court later this month.

Kevin Proctor, 61, of Hall Close in Worsbrough Village, appeared at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday charged with fraud by abuse of position.

The finance manager of a YMCA stole more then £300,000 from them, which he spent on long-haul holidays, home renovations, designer jewellery, and a vast collection of rare records.

As a result of Andrew Philpin's dishonesty the YMCA is on the edge of bankruptcy, has lost its charitable status, faces having to make dozens of staff redundant and it has thrown into doubt the future of its newly-redeveloped flagship headquarters.