What is Economic Crime?
Economic crime includes illegal actions that involve money, property, or financial systems. The goal is usually to make a profit in a dishonest way or to cause someone else to lose money or assets.
One common type of economic crime is fraud. This happens when someone uses lies or tricks to get an unfair advantage—often by taking money or property from another person.
FRAUD
In the United Kingdom, fraud has become the most frequently encountered type of crime, affecting individuals and organisations alike. Its consequences can be severe—causing financial hardship, emotional distress, and operational disruption.
Those targeted by fraudsters range from vulnerable members of the public to large corporations, small enterprises, and government bodies. Some of the most damaging forms include romance scams, the recruitment of money mules, and acts involving bribery or corruption.
ROMANCE FRAUD
Victims may be led to believe they’ve found an ideal partner through an online connection, but in reality, they’re interacting with a fraudster hiding behind a false identity. These criminals carefully build trust over time, creating the illusion of a genuine romantic relationship.
Their true intention, however, is solely to access your money or steal your personal information
COURIER FRAUD
Courier fraud happens when a scammer contacts you pretending to be a trusted authority—often a police officer or a bank representative. They claim there’s suspicious activity on your bank account and may share basic personal details, like your name or address, to make their story sound convincing.
Once they’ve gained your trust, they’ll urge you to withdraw cash or gather valuable items, such as bank cards or high-end goods. Then, they’ll send a so-called “courier” to your home to collect everything—leaving you out of pocket and at serious risk of identity theft.
INVESTMENT FRAUD
Scammers often reach out unexpectedly, claiming to offer a once-in-a-lifetime investment deal. They might suggest putting money into unfamiliar companies or high-risk markets like gold, real estate, or cryptocurrency. These offers usually come with promises of guaranteed profits or unusually high returns.
To make the scam more convincing, fraudsters apply pressure—urging you to act fast before the opportunity disappears. But once you’ve handed over your money, the person behind the pitch often vanishes. If they do stay in touch, it’s usually to ask for even more investment, deepening the deception.
Money Laundering
Money laundering is a criminal method used to disguise the source of funds gained through illegal means—such as drug dealing, bribery, or theft. The goal is to make the money seem like it came from a lawful business or activity, so it can be used without raising suspicion.
Online Safety Starts With You
Protect Your Personal Information
Avoid giving out personal or financial details like your name, address, bank info, or contact number in response to unexpected calls, texts, or emails. These are common tactics used by scammers to gain your trust and steal sensitive information. Always verify the request by contacting the company directly using official contact details.
Stay One Step Ahead—Use 159
If you’re unsure about a call claiming to be from your bank, dial 159—a secure service that connects you directly to your bank so you can safely check if the contact is genuine.
Watch Out for Unexpected Offers
Treat surprise calls, emails, or letters promising deals with caution—scammers often use these tactics to lure you in. Always verify before engaging.
Think Before You Click
Many scams begin with fake emails or texts designed to trick you into clicking a link and sharing your bank details.
Legitimate banks and financial institutions will never ask you to confirm sensitive information this way. Even if the message looks real, don’t trust it. If you're unsure, contact your bank directly using a verified phone number from an official letter, their website (typed manually into your browser), or a trusted source like the phone book.
Use Three Random Words
Use a different password for every account and store them securely in your browser or a password manager. Build passwords using three random words—like shared-yellow-pizza—and strengthen them with numbers or symbols, such as 2sharedyellowpizza!!
Track It to Protect It
Treat your credit report like a bank statement—check it often for unfamiliar activity. It’s one of the earliest ways to spot identity theft and gives you the chance to fix any errors before they cause bigger problems.