Category: Fraud and cybercrime

Deputy Commissioner joins countywide fight against fraud and serious organised crime

Posted on | by Chantal Robehmed

A series of disruption and engagement days have taken place across the county to tackle serious organised crime and raise awareness of rogue trading, fraud and scams.

The events, organised by the Surrey Organised Crime (SOC) Partnership, included action days which resulted in a series of arrests, as well as engagement stands in Mole Valley, Runnymede and Waverley.

Surrey’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, joined the engagement stand where advice was shared with members of the public.

Elsewhere, roads policing teams and partners including the Driving Vehicle Standards Agency carried out checks on the A24 in Dorking, Hardwick Lane in Chertsey, and the B2130 Godalming to Cranleigh road.

Seven arrests

The teams conducted stop checks on commercial vehicles and the waste carriage industry.

Across the three locations, 96 vehicles were stopped, with 10 vehicles being seized and seven arrests made for drug driving.

One vehicle was found to be overloaded in excess of two tonnes and His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) checked 62 fuel samples.

More than 600 people in Dorking, Chertsey and Farnham also visited stands run by Surrey Police’s Safer Communities Teams and the Economic Crimes Unit, Trading Standards, Crimestoppers and Age UK.

Advice given

Advice was given about doorstep rogue trading, financial abuse, investment fraud and romance scams.

Ellie said: “The brilliant results achieved across these six days of action are testament to the strong collaboration between partners to tackle fraud and support residents”.  

“Proactive engagement not only disrupts criminal enterprises on the ground but also works to protect Surrey residents and businesses for the future.

“Over half of crime committed in Surrey is fraud – it is this country’s fastest growing type of crime, with almost half of all adults being targeted, and perpetrators are using increasingly clever methods to target victims.

“A clear message”

“The partnership work including these events are a clear message to serious organised crime networks that we are working to disrupt activity, protect vulnerable people and make our communities safer.”

Lee Ormandy, chair of the Surrey SOC Partnership Board, said: “We will continue to bring together the expertise and resources of various agencies, enabling an effective and comprehensive approach to tackling SOC and protecting vulnerable individuals and businesses.

“By working together, we achieve outcomes that would be difficult or impossible for individual agencies to achieve alone.”

How to keep safe online and by phone:

  • Always question and verify unsolicited calls, texts or emails requesting your personal or financial information such as name, address or bank details.  Contact the company directly using a known email or phone number before sharing any personal or sensitive information.
  • Install up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall on your computer. Ensure your browser is set to the highest level of security.
  • Do not click on links in unexpected emails and text messages, even if they look genuine.  Banks and financial institutions will not send you an email asking you to click on a link and confirm your bank details.  Call your bank instead using a known phone number or email or use a phone number from a genuine piece of correspondence or the back of your bank card.
  • Use Verified by Visa or MasterCard Secure Code whenever you are given the option while shopping online. This involves you registering a password with your card company and adds an additional layer of security to online transactions with signed-up retailers.
  • Check your credit file regularly through companies such as Callcredit, Equifax and Experian, and look for any suspicious entries you don’t recognise.

How to keep safe from rogue traders:

  • Try to avoid talking to unexpected ‘tradespeople’ at your door as it is unusual that legitimate tradespeople will cold call you.
  • If possible, get quotes for work from at least three different companies.
  • Check that the trader is registered with an accredited trade body and an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme.
  • Avoid paying for work at your doorstep and do not go to a cash machine if asked to by a trader.
  • Remember that even if you sign a contract, you are legally entitled to a 14-day cancellation period.
  • Make sure to report any rogue traders and scams to Trading Standards.

Report all incidents of doorstep crime to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or to the police on 101.

In the event of an emergency, call 999.

A group of people stand in front of a Surrey Police banner. They are made up of a mix of officers and staff, as well as volunteers. All are looking into the camera and smiling.

“If you are a victim of fraud, you are a victim of crime”: Meet the volunteers working to protect Surrey residents

Posted on | by Alex Winter

IT’S the crime we are all most likely to experience.

And in Surrey, volunteers based in police stations around the county are dedicated to stopping criminals from exploiting more victims. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has joined celebrations for the Volunteer Fraud Prevention Programme, which aims to reach every fraud victim in the county. 

Volunteers for the programme work alongside Surrey Police officers and staff to offer education and support to those impacted. 

They also give talks in the community, working with organisations including Age Concern, the WI and the Surrey Coalition of Disabled People to share advice. 

Celebrations for volunteers

During a single engagement event outside a Co-op branch, volunteers spoke with more than 100 residents. 

Fraud is the most frequently reported crime across England and Wales, making up more than 40 per cent of all offending.

Once a victim has been defrauded for the first time, they are likely to be repeatedly targeted by criminals. 

Surrey’s most vulnerable victims are identified and supported by the Force as part of Operation Signature, which aims to ensure they receive a uniformed safeguarding visit, risk assessment and fast-tracked safeguarding initiatives. 

Those who are not considered vulnerable will be contacted by the fraud volunteers. 

Changing perceptions

Simon Morris, who volunteers in Reigate and Banstead, said some of those targeted by fraudsters feel shame that they have become a victim. 

But he added: “If you are a victim of fraud, you are a victim of crime. 

“We can change that perception by recognising the true impact fraud has on people’s lives.” 

Graham Hutchings, who also serves in Reigate and Banstead, said: “Fraud really can destroy people’s lives, and becoming a victim eats away at their confidence. 

“We want to restore that confidence again.” 

Vulnerable victims

Through working with the community, both Graham and Simon help raise understanding of how fraudsters operate, meaning fewer people become a victim. 

In Surrey, courier fraud makes up almost 23 per cent of all Op Signature cases – those directly committed against vulnerable victims. The crime occurs when victims are contacted by telephone or email by a person purporting to be someone from a bank or the police. 

Doorstep fraud – which involves criminals knocking at a person’s door to pressure sell or similar – makes up 16.1 per cent of Op Signature offences, while telephone fraud is the third most highly-reported in this category 

Every victim of romance fraud is considered vulnerable and is categorised as an Op Signature case. Across both Surrey and Sussex, victims lost £7million to this type of criminality last year alone. 

“Tireless efforts”

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Those who serve with the Volunteer Fraud Prevention Programme make a significant difference to the lives of Surrey residents. 

“I’d like to thank them for their tireless efforts to stop more people becoming victims. 

“These fantastic volunteers come from a range of backgrounds to protect others in their communities, and their work ensures that Surrey Police can reach every single person who reports a fraud in the county. 

“For those who believe they are a victim of any type of fraud, I’d urge you to come forward and speak to Action Fraud or the police.  

“You will not be judged or shamed – you are a victim of organised, sophisticated criminality, and we will support you.” 

Applications to serve with the programme will reopen shortly. 

Surrey's Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend stands beside a large blue sign that reads 'Welcome to Surrey Police headquarters'. Her hands are clasped and she is smiling at the camera. Lisa is wearing pink trousers and a green long-sleeved top.

“Back-to-basics policing is the cornerstone”: Commissioner launches new Police and Crime Plan for Surrey

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has unveiled a new blueprint for policing in the county over the next three years.

The Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan sets out the priorities she wants Surrey Police to concentrate on during the rest of her current term of office, which ends in 2028.

The Plan features a focus on ‘back to basics’ policing, preventing violence against women and girls, protecting Surrey’s most vulnerable residents, and ensuring the accountability, integrity and wellbeing of the Force’s officers and staff.

It was created following an extensive consultation period where nearly 3,000 residents gave their views, together with community groups, businesses, partners and victims’ services.

Police and Crime Commissioners are required to produce a Police and Crime Plan every four years and it will form the basis upon which Lisa holds the Chief Constable to account for the policing service Surrey Police provide.

Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country having more than doubled its charge rate in the past 12 months, with an additional 3,500 offences prosecuted.

Charges for burglary, assault, retail crime, rape and child abuse have significantly increased, and an additional 2,500 arrests have been made across all crime types.

But the Commissioner said there are challenges ahead. The Force has to find around £18million in savings over the next four years, while criminal justice delays are putting additional pressure on victims’ services.

The Force is also facing increasing demand on ‘hidden’ crime, such as domestic abuse, fraud, and the online exploitation of children, which target some of the most vulnerable people in Surrey.



Force among fastest-improving

Lisa said: “My mission as your Police and Crime Commissioner is clear.

“I want Surrey Police to focus on tackling those crimes that blight our local communities, while also taking persistent offenders off our streets.

“I promised that we would return to a ‘back to basics’ approach to policing, and this pledge forms the cornerstone of my Police and Crime Plan.

“Fighting crime, getting tough on offenders, and protecting Surrey’s most vulnerable residents must be at the heart of the Force’s priorities in the coming years.

“We carried out extensive consultation with residents, community groups, business leaders and victims’ services, as well as hosting 12 in-person and online Policing Your Community events over the autumn and winter.



‘Back to basics’

“I have heard loud and clear what those who live and work in Surrey want to see their policing teams do in our communities and they are making great progress.

“Surrey Police is one of the fastest-improving forces in the country, with 3,500 additional charges across all crime types in 12 months, as well as 2,500 more arrests.

“Charges for some of the crime types that are particularly important to residents, such as child abuse, burglary and retail crime, have dramatically improved.

“It is crucial that this fantastic progress is sustained so we can continue taking the fight to criminals who seek to gain a foothold in our communities.

“Surrey remains a wonderful place in which to live and work, and I am committed to working with the Chief Constable to deliver on the priorities outlined in my Plan.”

“You are not alone”: Commissioner urges romance fraud victims to speak to police

Posted on | by Alex Winter

More than £7million has been lost to “appalling” romance fraudsters over the past 12 months in Surrey and Sussex, Commissioner Lisa Townsend has warned.

Across both counties, more than 600 reports of romance fraud have been made to police in a year, making it one of the highest-reported fraud types.

Victims can be of any age and background, although most reports are from those aged over 50.

A common misconception is that women are more likely to be affected. However, across Surrey and Sussex, 48 per cent of victims are male, and 52 per cent female.

Fraudsters make contact through a range of means, including dating sites, social media platforms, and in person. They will research social media or dating profiles in order to present themselves as the ‘perfect match’, and swiftly encourage victims to move to messaging on less monitored apps such as WhatsApp, Google Hangouts, and Telegram. 

“Appalling”

Requests for money do not happen straightaway. A fraudster will make sure they know their victim well first, establishing what appears to be a genuine relationship over several weeks or even months. This is known as ‘the grooming period’.

They may use language to manipulate, persuade, and exploit, meaning that eventual requests for money don’t immediately raise alarm bells.

Payment is commonly made through bank transfers, but last year gift cards including iTunes vouchers became the fastest growing payment type.

One such victim in Sussex sent a fraudster over £100,000 through gift cards.

She first met the fraudster through a friend request on a Facebook group for dog lovers, and believed the conman to be an engineer and oil rig contractor working overseas.

Victim loses £100,000

Over time, the criminal told her he was in poor health, his accounts had been frozen, and his daughter was in a coma.

He instructed the victim to buy Apple iTunes vouchers and share the barcodes so he was able to cash them.

The victim ultimately took out a £32,000 mortgage on her home and a £12,00 bank loan. She sold shares, borrowed money from relatives, and pawned family jewellery, and was constantly in her overdraft. Eventually her family became aware of the extent of the fraud and it was reported to police.

Lisa said: “This is an appalling category of fraud.

“It can have a hugely traumatic impact on victims, who believe they have formed a genuine connection, and will feel the grief of both the crime itself and the loss of a relationship they believed to be real.

“Please come forward”

“The victim may feel true devastation, and they may also feel embarrassed at what has happened.

“To those who believe they’ve been scammed, I say to you directly: please come forward. You will not be judged or shamed by Surrey Police.

“The criminals who carry out this type of offending are dangerous and emotionally manipulative, and they can be extremely clever.

“If you are suffering, please know that you are not alone. It is not your fault.

“Our officers take all reports of romance fraud incredibly seriously, and they are dedicated to tracking down those responsible.”

Impact on victims

Financial Abuse Safeguarding Officer Bernadette Lawrie said: “This is a horrible crime type preying on people at their most vulnerable.

“Fraudsters manipulate and isolate their victims, often encouraging secrecy from family members, which can result in a breakdown of their support network and relationships.

“The impact is far more than purely financial, with victims suffering long-term effects to their physical and mental wellbeing. It can take a long time for trust and confidence to be rebuilt. “

Force’s advice

No matter how long you have been talking to someone online and how much you think you trust them, if you have not met in person, it is important that you do not:

  • Send them any money
  • Allow them access to your bank account
  • Transfer money on their behalf
  • Take out a loan for them
  • Provide copies of your personal documents eg. passport, driving licence etc.
  • Invest your own money on their behalf or on their advice
  • Purchase and send the codes on gift cards such as Amazon or iTunes vouchers
  • Agree to receive and / or send parcels on their behalf (laptops, mobile phones etc.)

Always remember DATES:

D – Don’t rush into an online relationship

Get to know the person not the profile

A – Analyse their profile

Protect yourself by confirming their identity

T – Talk to Friends and Family

Be wary of anyone who tells you not to tell others about them

E – Evade the scammers

Never send money or share your bank details with someone you’ve only met online

S – Stay on the dating messenger service

Fraudsters will often encourage their victims to use different communication platforms that are often undetectable.

For more information about protecting yourself from romance fraud, visit https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud/dating-fraud

If you think you have been a victim of a romance scam, do not feel ashamed or embarrassed – you are not alone. Contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.

basic romance fraud image says £2.7m was stolen from victims of romance scammers in 2023. Spot the signs.

Has romance turned to finance? You could be the victim of a fraudster, Commissioner warns

Posted on | by Alex Winter

IF ROMANCE has turned to finance, you could be the victim of a cruel scammer, Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has warned.

Lisa Townsend has urged Surrey residents to be wary of romance fraud after reports of the offence rose by more than 10 per cent in a year.

Data recorded by Surrey Police’s Operation Signature – the Force’s campaign to identify and support vulnerable victims of fraud – reveals that in 2023, 183 people came forward to tell police they’d been targeted. The number of people who came forward in 2022 was 165.

Men made up 55 per cent of victims, and almost 60 per cent of those targeted were living alone. A majority of those to report an offence – 41 per cent – were aged between 30 and 59, while 30 per cent of reports were made by people aged between 60 and 74.

Counting the cost

In total, Surrey victims lost £2.73million.

Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, recorded 207 reports of romance fraud in Surrey over the course of the year. Victims of fraud often report offences directly to Action Fraud, rather than their local police force.

Lisa has urged anyone who thinks they may have been targeted to come forward.

“This crime is truly distressing,” she said.

“It can be deeply personal to victims, who may feel the grief of both the crime itself and the loss of what they believed to be a genuine relationship.

“If a romantic connection has become focused on finances, it could be a sign of romance fraud.

“These criminals will try to stop their victims from discussing too much with their family and friends. They may say they live abroad, or have a high-profile job that keeps them busy.

“But ultimately, all will begin to find different ways to ask for money.

“It is devastating for victims to discover that the person they have built a relationship with is just a fantasy and – worse still – formed that attachment with the specific intent of doing them harm.

“Victims can feel embarrassed and ashamed to reveal what has happened to them.

“Please come forward”

“To those who believe they’ve been scammed, I say to you directly: please come forward. You will not be judged or shamed by Surrey Police.

“The criminals who carry out this type of offending are dangerous and emotionally manipulative, and they can be extremely clever.

“If you are suffering, please know that you are not alone. It is not your fault.

“Our officers take all reports of romance fraud incredibly seriously, and they are dedicated to tracking down those responsible.”

Surrey Police has offered the following advice on spotting the signs of a romance fraudster:

•            Be wary of giving out personal information on a website or chatroom

•            Fraudsters will make conversations personal to get information out of you, but won’t tell you much about themselves that you could check or verify

•            Romance fraudsters often claim to have high-ranking roles that keep them away from home for a long time. This could be a ploy to allay suspicions about not meeting in person

•            Fraudsters will usually attempt to steer you away from chatting on legitimate dating sites that can be monitored

•            They may tell stories to target your emotions – for example, that they have an ill relative or are stranded abroad. They may not ask directly for money, instead hoping that you will offer from the goodness of your heart

•            Sometimes, the fraudster will send you valuable items like laptops and mobile phones before asking you to send them on. This is likely a way for them to cover up any criminal activity

•            They may also ask you to accept money into your bank account and then transfer it elsewhere or via MoneyGram, Western Union, iTunes vouchers or other gift cards. These scenarios are very likely to be forms of money laundering, meaning you would be committing a crime

For more information, visit surrey.police.uk/romancefraud

To contact Surrey Police, call 101, use the Surrey Police website or get in touch on the Force’s social media pages. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

“It’s heart-breaking”: Commissioner calls for romance fraud victims to speak to police after scammers pocket £2m in a year

Posted on | by Alex Winter

VICTIMS of romance fraud in Surrey have lost almost £2million to “callous” criminals in just a year, Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend has warned.

Speaking to mark Romance Fraud Awareness Week and World Romance Scam Prevention Day, the Commissioner said the crime often results in significant financial and emotional harm.

Between September 2022 and September of this year, 170 reports of romance fraud were made to Surrey Police, and 191 reports from Surrey residents were made to Action Fraud.

Most of the victims who contacted the Force – 23 per cent – were initially approached via dating apps, although 14 per cent of those targeted began speaking with fraudsters on Facebook, and 13 per cent were first contacted on WhatsApp.

“Heart-breaking”

More than half of victims – 53 per cent – were male.

While most money was lost via bank transfer – 42 per cent – fraudsters also encouraged their victims to part ways with their cash by purchasing gift cards, Amazon vouchers and Bitcoin.

As part of the Force’s Operation Signature, its campaign to identify and support vulnerable victims of fraud, the total amount lost over the year is estimated to be £1.95m.

The figures are down on the previous year, when 184 people made a report and an estimated £3.76m was lost.

However, Lisa said even one report is too many.

Scam awareness

“Romance fraud is a heart-breaking crime that can often cause huge damage to its victims,” she said.

“The scammers behind this type of offending deceive their victims into investing money and – perhaps even more harmfully – their time and emotional energy under the mistaken belief that they have a genuine connection.

“This offending relies on building a deeply personal relationship with the victim in order to extort them of their money. The victim can find it difficult to end contact as their emotional ties are so strong.

“Often, those affected can be left feeling ashamed and embarrassed.

Commissioner’s plea

“I want to let anyone who is suffering now know that they are not alone. This is not their fault.

“The criminals behind this appalling fraud are clever and manipulative.

“Please speak to Action Fraud and Surrey Police if you think you may be the victim of a scam. Our officers will never judge you, and they take reports of romance fraud incredibly seriously.”

To report a crime to Action Fraud, visit actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Surrey Police has offered the following advice on spotting the signs of a romance fraudster:

  • Be wary of giving out personal information on a website or chatroom
  • Fraudsters will make conversations personal to get information out of you, but won’t tell you much about themselves that you could check or verify
  • Romance fraudsters often claim to have high-ranking roles that keep them away from home for a long time. This could be a ploy to allay suspicions about not meeting in person
  • Fraudsters will usually attempt to steer you away from chatting on legitimate dating sites that can be monitored
  • They may tell stories to target your emotions – for example, that they have an ill relative or are stranded abroad. They may not ask directly for money, instead hoping that you will offer from the goodness of your heart
  • Sometimes, the fraudster will send you valuable items like laptops and mobile phones before asking you to send them on. This is likely a way for them to cover up any criminal activity
  • They may also ask you to accept money into your bank account and then transfer it elsewhere or via MoneyGram, Western Union, iTunes vouchers or other gift cards. These scenarios are very likely to be forms of money laundering, meaning you would be committing a crime
Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend outside the Surrey Police contact centre

Commissioner blasts criminals behind ‘heart-breaking’ romance scams as she urges victims to come forward

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY’S Police and Crime Commissioner has urged residents to be wary of romance fraudsters this Valentine’s Day.

Lisa Townsend blasted the criminals behind “heart-breaking” scams, and warned that Surrey victims lose millions each year to fraud.

And she called for anyone who fears they may be affected to come forward and speak to Surrey Police.


Lisa said: “Romance fraud is a deeply personal and intrusive crime. The impact it has on its victims is heart-breaking.

“Scammers con their victims into investing time and money under the mistaken belief that they have a genuine personal connection.

“In many cases, it’s difficult for victims to end their ‘relationship’ as they’re so emotionally invested.

“This type of crime can leave people feeling extremely ashamed and embarrassed.

“To anyone who is suffering, please know they’re not alone. Criminals are clever and manipulative, and it is never the fault of someone who has been scammed.

“Surrey Police will always take reports of romance fraud incredibly seriously. I’d urge anyone affected to come forward.”

In total, 172 reports of romance fraud were made to Surrey Police in 2022. Just under 57 per cent of victims were female.

More than half of all victims live alone, and just over one in five were contacted initially via WhatsApp. Around 19 per cent were contacted through a dating app first.

The majority of victims – 47.67 per cent – were aged between 30 and 59. Around 30 per cent were aged between 60 and 74.

‘Never a victim’s fault’

While many people – 27.9 per cent of all victims – didn’t report any losses, 72.1 per cent were defrauded out of sums of money. Of that number, 2.9 per cent lost between £100,000 and £240,000, and one person lost more than £250,000.

In 35.1 per cent of all cases, criminals asked their victims to hand over money via a bank transfer.

Surrey Police has offered the following advice on spotting the signs of a romance fraudster:

  • Be wary of giving out personal information on a website or chatroom
  • Fraudsters will make conversations personal to get information out of you, but won’t tell you much about themselves that you could check or verify
  • Romance fraudsters often claim to have high-ranking roles that keep them away from home for a long time. This could be a ploy to allay suspicions about not meeting in person
  • Fraudsters will usually attempt to steer you away from chatting on legitimate dating sites that can be monitored
  • They may tell stories to target your emotions – for example, that they have an ill relative or are stranded abroad. They may not ask directly for money, instead hoping that you will offer from the goodness of your heart
  • Sometimes, the fraudster will send you valuable items like laptops and mobile phones before asking you to send them on. This is likely a way for them to cover up any criminal activity
  • They may also ask you to accept money into your bank account and then transfer it elsewhere or via MoneyGram, Western Union, iTunes vouchers or other gift cards. These scenarios are very likely to be forms of money laundering, meaning you would be committing a crime

For more information, visit surrey.police.uk/romancefraud

To contact Surrey Police, call 101, use the Surrey Police website or get in touch on the Force’s social media pages. Always dial 999 in an emergency.