While families and businesses have struggled, the criminal gangs behind economic crime have been quick to capitalise from the pandemic by tailoring scams to fit our changing lifestyles due to the pandemic. These include impersonation scams seizing on people’s fears about the pandemic where fraudsters pretend to be from trusted organisations such as the NHS or government departments. Criminals are also adapting to the rise in online shopping and remote working by impersonating parcel delivery companies, e-commerce platforms or broadband providers. In addition, criminals are recruiting ‘money mules’ to launder stolen funds by posting fake adverts on job websites and social media, targeting those looking for work or to earn easy money during the pandemic. Let’s be clear, these fraudsters are not cheeky chancers, they are organised, ruthless criminals using sophisticated techniques to trick people out of their personal or financial information.

Open publication