NFIB (National fraud intelligence bureau) 

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) and Action Fraud have noticed a rise in the reporting of victims being recruited via social media to sell items for suspects on popular online auction sites. Victims are persuaded that this will be a quick way of making money.

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The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) and Action Fraud have noticed a rise in the reporting of pets, and in particular puppies and kittens, being advertised for sale via popular online auction websites. The fraudsters will place an advert of the pet for sale, often claiming that the pet is currently held somewhere less accessible or overseas. Upon agreement of a sale, the suspect will usually request an advance payment by money transfer or bank transfer. However, the pet does not materialise and the fraudster will subsequently ask for further advanced payments for courier charges, shipping fees and additional transportation costs. Even if further payments are made, the pet will still not materialise as it is likely that the pet does not exist.

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The purpose of this alert is to inform the public of a new investment opportunity being advertised by fraudsters. Whilst the commodity is real, we believe the fraudsters are using fake companies and the investments they are offering do not actually exist.

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Fraudsters are texting members of the public offering a tax rebate. The text message contains a link to a website and requests personal information, such as bank account details, to claim the non-existent rebate.

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A new investment fraud trend is targeting members of the public who are seeking to sell their wine investment. Fraudsters agree to purchase the victims wine, but instead transfer the stock into their own account without paying the victim. The fraudulently obtained wine is then believed to be sold on to other, unsuspecting victims.

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The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has seen an increase in the volume of Gift Card Fraud reports in recent months. This has resulted in financial losses for several businesses that have fallen victim to this type of fraud.

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The Proactive Intelligence Team (PIT) has become aware of a method whereby fraudsters target residential premises specifically in affluent areas of London and steal post to identify senior executives within companies and organisations.

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Fraudsters are targeting members of the public who are expecting to make a payment for property repairs. The fraudsters, via email, will purport to be a tradesman who has recently completed work at the property and use a similar email address to that of the genuine tradesman. They will ask for funds to be transferred via bank transfer and once payment is made the victims of the fraud soon realise they have been deceived when the genuine tradesman requests payment for their services.

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The NFIB has received intelligence that fraudsters are using vishing techniques to gather bank account details of vulnerable people. Vishing is when fraudsters obtain personal details of a victim by phone. Fraudsters can then go on to use this personal information to commit fraud.

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Fraudsters have been advertising rental accommodation via social media, targeting potential overseas students who are likely to be interested in rental accommodation but do not have UK bank statements to provide what is termed ‘a statement of affordability’. The fraudsters advise the victims to transfer funds into a Western Union/Moneygram account to show affordability, which they would then be able to withdraw once they arrive in the UK.

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