Frauds

We’ve launched a new campaign encouraging the Midlands public to tell us what they know about those behind romance fraud and remain 100% anonymous – guaranteed.

What is romance fraud?

Romance fraud occurs when criminals make their victims think that they have met the perfect partner online, but they are using a fake profile to form relationship with them.

Romance fraudsters are masters of manipulation and go to great lengths to create a false reality.

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/news-campaigns/news/2024/jul/new-campaign-launched-tackling-romance-fraud-in-the-midlands

A serial shoplifter who committed a nationwide "tsunami of dishonesty" and fraud against top high street retailers worth £500,000 has been jailed for 10 years.

Narinder Kaur, 54, travelled all over the country - including Shrewsbury, Telford, Dudley, Smethwick and Kidderminster - to deceive retailers into refunding her for items she had stolen.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/crime/2024/07/30/woman-who-targeted-shropshire-stores-as-she-made-500k-in-industrial-scale-fraud-is-jailed/

Barclays has reported a whopping 139% increase in the total value of romance scams.

Romance scams increased sharply during May and June, according to data from Barclays, with men losing £3,500 on average and women £8,900.

https://moneyweek.com/personal-finance/barclays-reports-large-spike-in-romance-scams

Barclays is warning Brits about romance scams as its research revealed an increase in claims.

The bank analysed its business and personal current account customer scam data and found a 139% increase in the total value of romance scam reports when comparing the period March to April with the period May to June.

https://www.bicesteradvertiser.net/news/national/uk-today/24480234.barclays-issues-warning-brits-rise-romance-scams/

Society’s attitude to fraud is “softening” with the effects being felt in the billion-pound benefits system, the Department for Work and Pensions has said.

Softening of attitudes to fraud putting pressure on welfare system, report warns (yahoo.com)

IFB urges caution as young drivers targeted on social media

Reports of an increase in fraudulent motor insurance deals sold by ghost brokers on social media platforms rose by 6% last year, with further increases expected due to ongoing financial strain, according to the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB).

Ghost broking activity continues to rise in the UK | Insurance Business UK (insurancebusinessmag.com)

UK businesses are lagging their European counterparts when it comes to intelligence sharing, suggests GBG’s Global Fraud Report.

UK lags Europe in collaborating on identity fraud | THINK Digital Partners : THINK Digital Partners

UK motor insurer Ageas has identified a concerning new trend in “crash for cash” scams: a scheme involving moped riders who intentionally position themselves to be hit by reversing vans in an attempt to be compensated by insurance.

‘Crash for cash’ scam gets new twist | Insurance Business UK (insurancebusinessmag.com)

Benefit fraud cost taxpayers a record £7.3bn last year as a wave of criminality sweeps Britain, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/benefits-fraud-costs-taxpayer-record-7-3bn-as-society-becomes-more-criminal/ar-BB1qqwHa

The number of holiday scams has tripled in the first half of 2024, and a lender has warned families to stay alert when booking a trip to sunnier climes.

The warning comes as July has proven to be a particularly fruitful time of year for fraudsters, as £34,000 was taken from Santander customers in that month in 2023.

https://www.yourmoney.com/household-bills/holiday-scams-triple-santander-urges-families-to-stay-alert-during-summer-break/