Frauds

The number of people falling victim to romance scams increased by a fifth (22%) in 2023, compared to 2022, according to the latest data from Lloyds Bank.

However, overall, the average amount lost to romance scams was £6,937, less than in 2022 (£8,237).

How parents may be committing insurance fraud without realising it.

One Sure Insurance, an insurance broker, has advised parents to be more honest when it comes to their insurance policies because they may be committing insurance fraud unknowingly.

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/breaking-news/one-sure-insurance-calls-on-parents-to-be-honest-about-insurance-475495.aspx

A CARER has been jailed after she used the bank cards of the vulnerable people in her care to order items for herself.

The fraud came to light when a woman from Warwick contacted Warwickshire Police to say she believed her carer, Amie Swinbourne, had used her bank card.

Automated push payment (APP) fraud is rife across the UK, with 1 in 3 consumers falling victim and over half (53%) saying it’s getting harder to spot the signs.

New research from Visa reveals the negative impact of authorised push payment (APP) fraud on UK consumers beyond the financial loss.

According to Cifas research, one in six UK adults have exaggerated their earnings to get a mortgage, or know someone that has.

The fraud prevention service found that some people are prepared to dishonestly inflate their earnings by as much as £10,000, and even forge payslips, in order to buy or remortgage a home.

https://www.yourmoney.com/mortgages/one-in-six-will-commit-mortgage-fraud-to-get-a-deal/

A quarter of young people would lie on car insurance applications to get cheaper policies amid soaring costs, the industry warned.

A survey by Insurance Fraud Bureau found a quarter of 18 to 24-year-olds would lie to get cheaper insurance, with more risking “fronting” by posing as a named driver on a parent’s main policy.

They have been sentenced for conspiracy to commit fraud and animal welfare offences.

Five people from Kent have been locked up after raking in over £500,000 through a puppy farm scam, selling sick dogs to unsuspecting members of the public. Wally Beaney, Louise Smith, Maria Smith, Charlotte Byron and Debbie Lampard have been sentenced following an investigation from the RSPCA and Kent Police.

https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/kent-puppy-farmers-jailed-after-9063499

A 30-year-old acting as an unauthorised – or “ghost” – broker has been convicted for his involvement in a fraudulent motor insurance scheme targeting the Sudanese community.

Hafiz Mohammad, from Polygon Street, Manchester, was found guilty of selling illegitimate policies to individuals, many of whom had limited English proficiency.

A Somerset man who conned women out of thousands of pounds has been jailed again.

Sebastian Timmis stole more than £30,000 by convincing his victims to transfer him money, having won their trust through dating apps and websites.

Two pension fraudsters have been ordered to hand over the majority of their assets after a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) investigation by The Pensions Regulator (TPR), with the money to be returned to the pension schemes affected by the duo.

The successful conclusion to the investigation also means that Dalriada Trustees, the independent trustees running the affected schemes, can now take steps to further progress the claims on the Fraud Compensation Fund.