Fraud Rates Increase

Crimestoppers warns the public in Scotland not to be caught out in the 'Game of Fraud.'

Independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers is launching a campaign in the region to educate the public about key scam threats through an interactive microsite.

 The launch event is happening at Waverley Train Station in Edinburgh today, where members of the public will be encouraged to stay safe through a light-hearted look at the different fraud types and find out how they might be vulnerable.
 
During a successful launch in the London region, actors personifying some of the key fraud types distributed information to members of the public in the format of playing cards. They encouraged the public to check out the interactive microsite at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/gameoffraud.
 
In Scotland alone, Crimestoppers received 137 pieces of information regarding fraud and forgery in the last financial year however, this is believed to be the tip of the iceberg, which is why awareness raising has become such an important part of the national campaign.
 
Crime figures show a near 60% rise nationally in reported fraud over the past five years boosted by a rise in identity theft and online scams costing the UK economy £63m per year. To help tackle these  crimes the charity has created a Game of Fraud hub featuring an online survey with information on a variety of frauds, including romance fraud, courier fraud and online shopping fraud, that affect the UK public every day. Through a series of short, simple questions the intuitive quiz identifies which fraud types members of the public may be most vulnerable to and gives a detailed description of how they may be targeted.
 
The variety of fraudulent activity being carried out by criminals is vast. Advance fee fraud is where fraudsters target victims to request upfront fees for the release of funds, ask for help to transfer money out of another country or offer fake loans. It is estimated this affects over 26,000 UK residents every year with sometimes devastating financial consequences.
 
Romance fraud is also on the rise with nearly 3,000 older men and women falling victim each year. Unsuspecting adults are tricked into thinking they have met their 'perfect partner' online, but in truth they are being deceived. Once the fraudster gains their trust, they ask for money for a variety of emotive reasons in hope that financial support will be offered. Recently intimate photographs of victims have been used to extort funds from trusting members of the public.
 
Lord Ashcroft, KCMG PC, Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, said: 

"New and emerging fraud-types are becoming increasingly complex and are frequently being funnelled through online activity. We are working hard to make sure the public is informed and empowered to avoid becoming victims to these scams.
 
"These scams affect individuals from all walks of life, anyone can become a victim; for these reasons we are educating the public around this to stop the criminals behind this deviant activity profiting from innocent members of the community."
 
Dave Hunter, Crimestoppers' Acting Regional Manager for Scotland, said: 

"Does something seem too good to be true? Do you actually know who you are providing your account details to over the phone or internet? We are hoping that following this campaign the public will change their behaviour in light of the information received and share these insights with friends and family to help them avoid becoming victims.
 
"As always we encourage the public to pass on information to us completely anonymously about anyone they suspect of committing fraud.  This can be done anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via our website www.crimestoppers-uk.org"