Frauds

A warning has been made over the risks of food fraud which is costing the UK up to £2 billion per year after Food Standards Scotland and the Food Standard Agency published their latest Food Crime Strategic Assessment.

Although the report found that the majority of food in the UK is safe and authentic, they do have concerns over the threat of food crime. Blame has largely been placed on huge recent geopolitical events around the world which have caused disruption in the food chain and left it open to fraud.

A recent High Court of England and Wales decision shows that the English courts are willing to interpret procedural service rules under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) pragmatically to facilitate justice for victims of crypto fraud, an expert has said.

https://www.pinsentmasons.com/en-gb/out-law/news/high-court-pragmatic-approach-protect-crypto-fraud-victims

Figures from the UK’s leading anti-fraud agency suggest pension scams have been on the increase since the cost of living crisis. Here’s how to keep your nest egg safe.

Almost £50,000 a day was stolen as a result of pension scams in 2023, new data from the UK’s leading fraud prevention agency has shown.

https://moneyweek.com/personal-finance/pensions/action-fraud-pension-scams-warning-fraudsters

A man who sold hundreds of puppies - many of which were unwell and later died - has avoided jail. Illegal puppy seller Richard Butler, 57, was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Friday.

He was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, and ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work in the community. Butler, from Springfield Farm, Rowley Park, Rugeley, pleaded guilty to three offences of fraud and one offence of making articles for use in fraud.

Head points to team's "continued determination" against fraudsters.

Allianz UK has reported a significant rise in fraudulent claims, particularly involving noise-induced hearing loss and fake businesses, during the first half of 2024. The increase in fraud detection has allowed the insurer to save £37.7 million in the half-year, with a notable portion stemming from casualty fraud cases, especially major loss fraud.

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/claims/allianz-uk-outlines-fraudulent-insurance-claims-trends-504476.aspx

DWP can do more to understand how fraud and error gets into the benefits system, and what can be done to tackle it.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, benefit overpayments have increased to new levels we haven’t seen before.

https://www.civilserviceworld.com/in-depth/article/eyes-on-the-prize-tackling-fraud-and-error-to-build-public-trust-in-our-benefit-system

Crime perpetrated by exploiting access to an employer's claims filing system.

A veterinary nurse has been sentenced to eight months in prison for fraudulently claiming over £13,000 in insurance payouts for her pets, exploiting her position at her workplace to carry out the scheme.

https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/uk/news/legal-insights/veterinary-nurse-gets-prison-sentence-over-pet-insurance-fraud-503895.aspx

Reckless scammers on mopeds are deliberately crashing into other vehicles to make bogus insurance claims, law enforcement bodies have warned.

The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) and City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) are investigating the “crash for cash” trend with the insurance industry and are giving advice to people to avoid moped scams.

Oasis have announced a reunion tour, with shows taking place across the UK and Ireland in 2025.

Putting their differences aside, Noel and Liam Gallagher have confirmed dates for Cardiff, Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin - with tickets going on general sale this weekend.

If you're an eager fan hoping to secure seats, it's important to watch out for dodgy deals and scammers before placing any orders.

A council flat tenant has admitted to unlawfully subletting his home by advertising the property for rent on Airbnb.

Property118 | Council tenant pleads guilty to subletting home on Airbnb - Property118