When you report a fraud or cyber crime to Action Fraud it is sent for assessment to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau which is hosted by City of London Police, the lead force for fraud investigation. Action Fraud does not investigate the reports it receives and cannot advise you on how your report is progressing.

What is Action Fraud?

Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime. It is operated by City of London Police, as the National Policing Lead for Economic Crime. The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau supports it. NFIB assesses reports submitted to Action Fraud and disseminates those that meet certain criteria to appropriate police forces for investigation.

The vast majority of reports are not allocated to police forces for further investigation and remain in NFIB ‘Know Fraud’ database. The allocation of resources is based on guidelines issued by NFIB and the College of Policing, and assessed using the Management of Risk in Law Enforcement scoring standards.

Fraud is a deliberate act of deceit, subterfuge, camouflage or concealment that results in material damage to someone else who relies on it for good faith or legitimate business reasons. Examples include substantial unexplained increases in net worth; bank deposits from unexplained sources that significantly exceed reported income; and document manipulation.

Can I report a criminal act for someone else’s benefit?

Reporting cyber crime, fraud or scams to the police is important if you have been victimized in the UK. Many people are concerned that reporting fraud on behalf another person could be viewed inappropriately or lead to the victim’s abuse by the authorities.

Fortunately, there are ways to report fraud on someone else’s behalf that won’t put you at risk of victimization. You can also contact your local VictimConnect Resource Center for a consultation with a victim support specialist. The specialist can guide you through your reporting options and can refer you to additional services.

Another option is to use a dedicated app that can provide you with step-by-step instructions about how to file a report. There are several available on the iOS and Android app stores, and they’re designed to be fast and efficient.

All reports submitted to Action Fraud, the national fraud lead force, will be sent to National Fraud Intelligence Bureau. The NFIB evaluates the reports, and will identify those with the best chance to be investigated by law enforcement agencies or police forces.

Even if the evidence is sufficient, police will not investigate all reports. This is often due to the fact that police are only able to investigate a limited number of cases, and they must prioritise those where there is an immediate risk of harm or where a large amount of money has been lost.

If a case goes to court, victims have the opportunity to be heard by a judge in what is known as a Victims Personal Statement. This can be taken at any point during the process, and it provides an opportunity for the victim to explain how the crime has affected them physically, financially or emotionally.

Can I report a crime online?

In most cases, it is necessary to report a crime in person at a local police station. If your local agency has a system for online reporting, you can report some crimes online. The specific crimes that can be reported online vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but will often include things like theft, identity theft, and other financial fraud. Online reporting is usually not possible for crimes that involve serious physical harm to another person or threats.

Generally, police will not investigate every case of fraud or scam that is reported to them, even if the victim has suffered a significant loss. They will allocate resources according to the guidelines set by the College of Policing. This is a set of standards which outlines the crimes that are most likely investigated first.

In some cases, the police will use their discretion to investigate certain types of fraud that are not considered as a priority by Action Fraud. However, they will still assess the evidence and decide whether or not to take action. They may decide to investigate an investment fraud if they find out more about the suspects or their connections with other victims.

Police will try to bring criminals before a court if the crime is investigated. Depending on the circumstances of the case, a court could order compensation to the victim or other reparations. It could also order confiscation of assets or money that were obtained through criminal conduct.

As a victim, you have a voice in the sentencing process through a Victim Personal Statement. This will explain the impact the crime has had on you personally, financially, emotionally, or psychologically. The court will consider this when making their decision on the sentence.

How do I report a crime to the police?

You can report frauds of any kind to Action Fraud in the UK. This is the national reporting center for frauds and cybercrimes. They collect the reports and send them to police forces throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland so they can investigate. The site has a useful A-Z of Fraud guide that explains the different types of crimes and how they should be reported.

Many criminals target the elderly and vulnerable, especially when they are looking to steal money or personal details. They can do this by pretending to be family members, government agencies or tech support professionals. They can also hold your computer files hostage by encrypting them and then demand that you pay to get them back.

To protect your family and yourself, you should always confirm the legitimacy of any company before paying or providing any details. Also, if you are ever unsure about a company or individual, contact your police force for further information.