Did action fraud slip into its own black hole?

Last week’s announcement that the Action Fraud reporting portal is to be scrapped will come as absolutely no surprise to anyone. Especially those that have had the misfortunate of using it.

The decision follows some stunning (and highly embarrassing) undercover work by The Times. The British newspaper exposed the inadequacies of the process at many levels. The fact that a reporter was able to covertly film a training session within the inner sanctums of a police run operation probably tells you all you need to know.

“Diddly squat”

It has been a long time coming. It is hard to find anybody with a complimentary thing to say about Action Fraud, in fact to the contrary. Most people’s experience of any actual recoveries of monies would probably amount to, in the words of Jeremy Clarkson – ‘Diddly Squat!’

Many victims of crime have claimed that all the process did was put cases into a black hole. Most never to see the light of day again, let alone a Police investigator. 

Furthermore, it served to positively manipulate and reduce unsolved crime level numbers of a particular force by diverting such cases to the portal. No surprise there was an appetite to ‘left shoulder’ these cases elsewhere as fraud now accounts for over one third of all crime reported in the UK.

Beware ‘new kids on the block’

However, the irony of the demise of Action Fraud is that it will almost certainly provide a fertile ‘void’ for fraudsters to occupy. Experts are warning consumers to be aware of organisations springing up. Possibly in similar name styles, and demanding up-front fees with a promise of robust investigation and recoveries. Make no mistake, there are usually no quick fix solutions when it comes to cleverly exercised financial fraud.

Help still at hand…

Finally, If you want genuine ACTION on your fraud case, then make sure you engage with the right people.

Conflict International have been at the forefront of financial fraud investigations for over 15 years. Whether UK or international is of no concern to us. Our net is wide and our stable of solutions is vast.

You will feel instantly better knowing that somebody is now actively in your corner and investigating your loss.

Call Conflict International today on: +44 (0)20 7917 2939 or email us.

Alternatively, please contact our US Head Office on +1-212-710-5919 or email us.