Here's your monthly fraud newsletter! Read this edition on the health impact of fraud on victims, Money Mules, and Romance Fraud

Invisible Harms: understanding the health impact of fraud on victims

In a recent study carried out by the Police Foundation, 92% of people said their health was negatively impacted after being a victim of fraud.

The report, titled Invisible Harms, examined the health implications and outlined the devastating consequences being a victim of fraud can have; from trouble sleeping to mistrust of others to, in the most extreme cases, suicide.

Fraud is the most-commonly experienced crime in the UK, and yet as many as 1 in 3 victims cannot bring themselves to talk about it.

"I have a twin brother and… I speak to him every week, but I couldn’t tell him because I knew he would say, ‘how could you be so stupid?” (Victim interview)

The one thing the many different types of fraud have in common is how they made their victims feel. There is a level of shame and embarrassment around being a victim of fraud not often seen with other crimes.

Only 14% of those surveyed reported the crime to police or Action Fraud (now called Report Fraud), and some didn’t even tell close friends or family members. They all carried feelings of guilt, self-blame, and the feeling that they were in some way complicit in what happened to them.

When a person calls Surrey Police and Sussex Police to report a fraud, we identify vulnerability at the first point of contact. Those considered vulnerable are offered an in-person visit from an officer or a PCSO, which can identify additional vulnerabilities that may need referral to partner agencies. This personal connection is crucial and allows us to establish a pathway for longer-term support, such as referral to our fraud caseworkers.

We welcome this research, which Surrey Police and Sussex Police took part in to inform the findings of the report. Its publication has allowed us to bring the multi-agency safeguarding response we have been doing locally for years, through Operation Signature, to the national stage, and we hope it will form a basis for other forces to do the same.

Read the report in full here: https://www.police-foundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Health-impact-of-fraud.pdf

Money mules: the hidden risk behind “easy money” offers

A money mule is someone who is persuaded to move or transfer stolen or illegal funds through their own bank account on behalf of criminals. While the criminals often remain hidden, the mule can be left exposed to serious legal and financial consequences.

Criminals will deliberately target students and young people, as well as anyone experiencing financial pressure. According to local reports offenders often promise quick, easy money for very little effort. Typical offers include being paid to “help move money,” “receive funds for a business,” or “use your account for a short time.” These approaches are increasingly made through social media, messaging apps, or online marketplaces, where they can appear legitimate and persuasive.

What many people don’t realise is that allowing your bank account to be used in this way is not harmless. Moving criminal money is a criminal offence, even if you believe you are helping a friend, doing a favour, or simply following instructions. Banks routinely monitor accounts for suspicious activity, and those suspected of money mule activity can find their accounts frozen or closed, their ability to access credit affected, and in some cases face criminal investigation or prosecution.

Recently in Sussex, Police received a report from a vulnerable young male who had been approached via Snapchat by someone offering to make him some money, in exchange for providing his bank details.  Large sums of money were then transferred in and out of his personal account, before the bank quickly intervened.

In another incident a victim reported responding to a job offer on Facebook and was advised that the company would transfer money to his account with instructions to then transfer this onwards to multiple other accounts. 

Be cautious if:

You are offered money for using your bank account

Asked to receive, move or withdraw funds for someone else

Told to keep transactions secret or rush decisions

Contacted with “easy money” opportunities via social media

Asked to open a new bank account for someone else’s use

Romance fraud costs UK victims £102 million in a year as reports surge by nearly a third

Victims of romance fraud had more than £102 million stolen from them last year, as criminals continue to exploit online relationships to manipulate people into transferring money, new figures from the City of London Police reveal.

Data shows 10,784 reports of romance fraud were made to Report Fraud last year - a 29 per cent increase compared with 2024. Police believe this rise is partly driven by increased awareness and confidence in reporting, but it also highlights the ongoing scale and impact of a crime that often unfolds over weeks or months.

Overall losses equate to almost £280,000 every day, with individual victims having an average of £9,500 stolen from them. In some cases, reported individual losses reached as high as £1 million. 

The Surrey Police area recorded £1.89 million of losses. The highest total of losses was recorded by Metropolitan Police, at £12.1 million, followed by Hampshire (£3.45 million), Essex (£3.2 million), and Thames Valley (£3.18 million), reflecting the nationwide nature of this offending. 

Romance fraud typically involves sustained contact, with offenders carefully building trust and emotional attachment with the victim before creating a situation where the victim feels they should send them money, often using stories linked to emergencies, investment opportunities or plans to meet in person.

Bernadette Lawrie the forces Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer said:  

“Romance fraud is one of the most devastating fraud types we see and is constantly evolving.  

“Offenders deliberately manipulate victims, often over long periods, creating what feels like a real and caring relationship before betraying that trust for financial gain.

“The harm however, goes far beyond financial loss. Victims are left heartbroken, often embarrassed and deeply shaken by the deception. 

“Anyone can be a victim to this crime, and it is never their fault. By reporting it, victims help us stop offenders and prevent others from experiencing the same pain.”

Analysis shows people aged 55 to 74 suffered the greatest financial losses, accounting for almost half of the total amount stolen. Although men submitted a higher number of reports overall, women experienced greater financial losses, making up just over 40 per cent of the total value reported.

Romance fraud remains closely linked to online platforms, particularly social media and dating sites, where offenders can easily create convincing false profiles. Investigators are also seeing increased use of AI‑generated images and messages to support fraudulent identities. In many cases, romance fraud is linked with fake investment opportunities, including cryptocurrency, in hybrid frauds which further increase the financial risk to victims.

As part of its annual romance fraud campaign, the City of London Police is urging the public to remain cautious when forming relationships online and to be alert to warning signs:

Individuals who develop relationships very quickly or express strong feelings early on

Excuses not to meet in person or to avoid live video calls

Wanting to send money, cryptocurrency or gift cards to someone you have not met face‑to‑face

Talk of investments, medical emergencies or travel costs

You feel you are unable to or don’t want to talk about the relationship with friends or family

The person you are communicating with doesn’t like it when you use ways to protect yourself from fraud

Make sure you:

Speak to a trusted friend or family member if you want to send money

Reverse-image search profile and other photos you are sent

Actively let the person know you are fraud aware and will be protecting yourself (if they don’t like it, this is a key warning sign)

If you want to move money, listen to your bank and follow their advice to stop if they tell you they are concerned.

As part of its ongoing work to tackle romance fraud, the City of London Police has collaborated with Associate Professor of Criminology and Forensic Linguist, Dr Elisabeth Carter. This collaboration has been instrumental in strengthening understanding of the language used in romance fraud and in shaping clearer, more effective advice for victims. The City of London Police looks forward to continuing this work as part of its wider efforts to prevent romance fraud and support those affected.

Anyone who believes they may have been targeted is encouraged to report it to Report Fraud at www.reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. If money has already been transferred, they should contact their bank immediately. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101. Every Report Counts.

Visit Stop! Think Fraud for more information on types of fraud and ways to protect yourself from them. Visit https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/