Fraud is the most common crime in the United Kingdom. It accounts for almost 40% of all offences in England and Wales, making it a national priority for law enforcement and regulators.
The Fraudscape 2025 report shows just how serious and widespread the problem has become.
Key Fraud Statistics (2024) #
- 421,000 cases were filed to the National Fraud Database in 2024 — the highest number ever recorded.
- Identity fraud dominated with 249,417 cases, making up 59% of all reports.
- Facility takeovers surged by 76%, rising from 42,091 to 74,256 cases, especially in telecoms and online retail.
- False applications rose by 10% to 21,708 cases.
- Misuse of facility cases stayed high at more than 74,000 filings.
- False insurance claims grew by 42%, reaching 644 cases.
The financial cost is staggering:
- Fraud costs the UK economy an estimated £219 billion per year.
- The public sector alone loses up to £81 billion annually to fraud.
- Consumers lost £11.4 billion to scams in 2024, with older victims (aged 61+) disproportionately affected.
- CIFAS members reported saving £2.1 billion in prevented fraud losses by sharing intelligence through the NFD.
The Digital Transformation of Fraud #
More than 80% of scams are now digitally enabled, with criminals using advanced tools such as:
- Artificial intelligence to create fake documents and deepfakes.
- Scam “factories” abroad, where workers operate under exploitative conditions to run large-scale fraud operations.
- Social engineering and phishing to manipulate individuals into sharing personal or financial details.
Why This Matters for CIFAS Markers #
The scale of fraud explains why the National Fraud Database and CIFAS markers exist. With fraud rising year on year, organisations rely on shared intelligence to prevent financial crime.
However, it is just as important that this power is used fairly and proportionately. The law requires that:
- Markers must be based on clear, relevant, and rigorous evidence.
- Innocent parties, such as victims of impersonation, must be protected.
- Consequences must not be excessive or disproportionate to the conduct involved.
This balance is vital. Fraud prevention protects the system, but individuals must not suffer six years of exclusion without solid proof of dishonesty.
