Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has warned of the “severe” cost of investment fraud as new figures reveal victims lose an average of £50,000 each.
Lisa Townsend said “sophisticated” scams make it difficult for investors to tell the difference between a genuine opportunity and a fraud.
Across the UK, the total loss to investment fraud between 2023 and 2024 was £569.6million.
Surrey Police’s Operation Signature aims to identify victims who are particularly vulnerable in the county, including those who may suffer repeated frauds. Victims identified under Signature lost a total of £8.42million in the 12 months to August 2025.
Fraud losses
In one recent case, a specially-trained fraud caseworker at Surrey’s Victim and Witness Care Unit (VWCU) supported a victim who was conned out of £350,000 after signing up to a crypto-based online trading platform.
She had researched her ‘broker’, portrayed by scammers as a senior figure at a bank, and over the next year saw her money invested into shares.
The victim then took out loans and liquidated her pension to boost the ‘investment’.
She hoped to pay off her mortgage, but after attempting to withdraw £250,000, she was asked to pay in another £25,000. Her money was never paid out and she was unable to contact the broker.
Victim lost £350,000
Operation Signature lead PC Bernadette Lawrie BEM said victims of investment fraud suffer the highest financial loss by fraud type.
“Our Neighbourhood Policing Teams and our Fraud Caseworkers Teams work tirelessly to help victims and prevent these crimes. They help fraud victims recover and prevent them from being re-targeted,” she said.
“Investment fraudsters run increasingly sophisticated schemes, and fraud victims are just as likely to be male as female.”
The Commissioner said: “Investment fraud can be extremely sophisticated, and it is often difficult to distinguish between a real opportunity and a scam.
“This is not your fault”
“Whether the scam is a fake property deal, a bogus social media investment or cryptocurrency fraud, victims are deceived into believing they are safely investing their hard-earned money to build for the future.
“Like all frauds, the impact can be severe, both financially and in terms of a victim’s mental wellbeing.
“If you fear you are a victim, you are not alone and this is not your fault. I urge you to speak to Action Fraud and Surrey Police.
“You can also turn to the Victim and Witness Care Unit, who offer truly fantastic support to those impacted by crime across the county.”
What you need to know
Surrey Police has published a checklist for those who are considering investing, as well as some common ‘warning signs’. You can read more here.
Action Fraud is the national reporting place for all fraud or via phone on 0300 123 2040.
For vulnerable victims call 101 or use textphone service on 18001 101.
For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, use the Force’s textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you pre-registered with the Emergency SMS Service.