Wednesday 7 September 2011
September Issue Fraud Watch Out soon
Following August's massive success with over 300,000 readers September issue is soon to be published online.
Fraud watch is delivered to subscribers all over the world online and in the U.K in paper form.
Saturday 3 September 2011
Anti-fraud campaign
UK citizens lose around £2.4 billion every year as a result of scam mail.
Sent by professional fraudsters, scam letters are designed to con recipients into investing in bogus schemes such as fake lotteries, share frauds and inheritance scams. They depend on persuading victims to hand over money based on promises of valuable goods, services, or benefits that are never delivered.
After replying to a 'tempter' letter, victims' names can be put on a 'suckers list' which is then sold to other fraudsters. Chronic victims include some of the most vulnerable people in society, some of whom end up being hounded with terrible consequences.
Impact of scam mail
Detective Superintendent Mark Ponting, head of prevention and disruption for the Metropolitan Police Service's Economic and Specialist Crime Command, said: "The individuals behind this type of crime are cynical and pernicious, making their living by targeting and exploiting some of the most vulnerable and needy people in our society.
"For many of these victims, the bombardment of scam mail results in fear, severe financial difficulties and ultimately a decline in both physical and mental health.
"In some cases in the UK it has ended in suicide.
"We hope that Mass Marketing Fraud Awareness Week and the action that we will take in the future will raise awareness of this crime amongst all sectors of society and prevent more people from falling victim to it."
Think Jessica's Marilyn Baldwin, said: "My mother Jessica was in her late seventies and suffering from (undiagnosed) age-related declining mental health when she was hunted down by scam mail criminals.
"For five years I tried to convince my mum that she was being scammed, but criminals claiming to be clairvoyants, lottery officials & solicitors led her to believe the family were against her- she would not co-operate.
"I believe that the thousands of scam letters we removed from her home contributed to her death in 2007.
"I started the campaign www.thinkjessica.com (Opens in a new window) three years ago and during that time we have been alerted to thousands of elderly and vulnerable silent victims who are being tricked, "befriended" and threatened by criminals worldwide.
"The most effective way of stopping these criminals from succeeding is by refusing to engage with them - this is the message we hope to spread during this week of awareness."
SOCA fraud expert Colin Woodcock, said: "Mass marketing fraud is serious organised crime and every organisation involved in this campaign is committed to fighting it. But the single most powerful weapon we have in that fight is better public awareness. If you suspect that someone close to you is a victim, there is help and advice available. Don't let the criminals get away with it."
City of London Police's Detective Superintendent Tony Crampton, said: "As the lead force for investigating fraud in this country, we work year round to bring to justice those people behind these scams. Make no mistake, these are not casual fraudsters, but ruthless and calculated criminal gangs, with a business-like approach to conning vulnerable victims out of their money. But that professional approach does not prevent us from catching them, prosecuting them, and putting them behind bars. This campaign sends a clear message to the criminals who target the vulnerable: you are on our radar, and more and more people are becoming aware of the tricks of your trade."
Sent by professional fraudsters, scam letters are designed to con recipients into investing in bogus schemes such as fake lotteries, share frauds and inheritance scams. They depend on persuading victims to hand over money based on promises of valuable goods, services, or benefits that are never delivered.
After replying to a 'tempter' letter, victims' names can be put on a 'suckers list' which is then sold to other fraudsters. Chronic victims include some of the most vulnerable people in society, some of whom end up being hounded with terrible consequences.
Impact of scam mail
Detective Superintendent Mark Ponting, head of prevention and disruption for the Metropolitan Police Service's Economic and Specialist Crime Command, said: "The individuals behind this type of crime are cynical and pernicious, making their living by targeting and exploiting some of the most vulnerable and needy people in our society.
"For many of these victims, the bombardment of scam mail results in fear, severe financial difficulties and ultimately a decline in both physical and mental health.
"In some cases in the UK it has ended in suicide.
"We hope that Mass Marketing Fraud Awareness Week and the action that we will take in the future will raise awareness of this crime amongst all sectors of society and prevent more people from falling victim to it."
Think Jessica's Marilyn Baldwin, said: "My mother Jessica was in her late seventies and suffering from (undiagnosed) age-related declining mental health when she was hunted down by scam mail criminals.
"For five years I tried to convince my mum that she was being scammed, but criminals claiming to be clairvoyants, lottery officials & solicitors led her to believe the family were against her- she would not co-operate.
"I believe that the thousands of scam letters we removed from her home contributed to her death in 2007.
"I started the campaign www.thinkjessica.com (Opens in a new window) three years ago and during that time we have been alerted to thousands of elderly and vulnerable silent victims who are being tricked, "befriended" and threatened by criminals worldwide.
"The most effective way of stopping these criminals from succeeding is by refusing to engage with them - this is the message we hope to spread during this week of awareness."
SOCA fraud expert Colin Woodcock, said: "Mass marketing fraud is serious organised crime and every organisation involved in this campaign is committed to fighting it. But the single most powerful weapon we have in that fight is better public awareness. If you suspect that someone close to you is a victim, there is help and advice available. Don't let the criminals get away with it."
City of London Police's Detective Superintendent Tony Crampton, said: "As the lead force for investigating fraud in this country, we work year round to bring to justice those people behind these scams. Make no mistake, these are not casual fraudsters, but ruthless and calculated criminal gangs, with a business-like approach to conning vulnerable victims out of their money. But that professional approach does not prevent us from catching them, prosecuting them, and putting them behind bars. This campaign sends a clear message to the criminals who target the vulnerable: you are on our radar, and more and more people are becoming aware of the tricks of your trade."
Mitain Conrad - update
Files obtained under the freedom of information act have shown that Mitain Conrad made several interviews with undercover police investigators and assisted by prividing valuable information on several wanted individuals.
Having done so he was subsequently let loose with Police authorities denying any such event.
Lawyers acting for Mitain Conrad have indicated a High Court judgement will be sought to officially clairify the actual event.
Having done so he was subsequently let loose with Police authorities denying any such event.
Lawyers acting for Mitain Conrad have indicated a High Court judgement will be sought to officially clairify the actual event.
Pass the ID fraud test with a good password
Hard-to-crack passwords make it much more difficult for thieves to steal your identity. So how do you come up with passwords that are easy enough to remember but hard for fraudsters to work out – while avoiding the temptation of using the same password for lots of different accounts?
Your first name, surname, birthday, home town, wife’s name, child’s name, pet’s name and so on all make bad passwords as they are easy for fraudsters to guess (or find out on Facebook).
Fraudsters also use automatic “dictionary” attacks, using a computer to work their way through common words – so it’s not a good idea to use everyday words as passwords, either.
One way to foil the most common methods fraudsters use is to start using combinations of letters, numbers and symbols – but you need to do more than stick the number 1 at the end of your surname, for instance.
One method is to use the initials of an easily memorable phrase. So ‘David Brent’s bank account at Nat West’ could become “dbb1@nwest” – a phrase that even dictionary software would find tough as it contains no real words. Or something like ‘tottenham 61’ could become ‘tott61enham’.
It’s also an idea to keep separate email addresses when you register for online services, in addition to using separate passwords. It’s free to get webmail from several different providers. This means if criminals get hold of one of your account’s details or gain access to one email account, your other accounts will be safe.
And, as ever, if you are worried you’ve been a victim of ID fraud
Your first name, surname, birthday, home town, wife’s name, child’s name, pet’s name and so on all make bad passwords as they are easy for fraudsters to guess (or find out on Facebook).
Fraudsters also use automatic “dictionary” attacks, using a computer to work their way through common words – so it’s not a good idea to use everyday words as passwords, either.
One way to foil the most common methods fraudsters use is to start using combinations of letters, numbers and symbols – but you need to do more than stick the number 1 at the end of your surname, for instance.
One method is to use the initials of an easily memorable phrase. So ‘David Brent’s bank account at Nat West’ could become “dbb1@nwest” – a phrase that even dictionary software would find tough as it contains no real words. Or something like ‘tottenham 61’ could become ‘tott61enham’.
It’s also an idea to keep separate email addresses when you register for online services, in addition to using separate passwords. It’s free to get webmail from several different providers. This means if criminals get hold of one of your account’s details or gain access to one email account, your other accounts will be safe.
And, as ever, if you are worried you’ve been a victim of ID fraud
50,000 ID fraud victims so far this year
Fraud in the first half of 2011 is 10% higher than a year ago according to new figures from CIFAS, the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service – with more than 50,000 ID fraud victims.
Using someone else’s identity is fraudsters’ preferred method so far this year. CIFAS recorded 111,505 frauds from January to June and more than half related to impersonation and identity fraud (46%) or the takeover of a victim’s accounts (10%).
Using someone else’s identity is fraudsters’ preferred method so far this year. CIFAS recorded 111,505 frauds from January to June and more than half related to impersonation and identity fraud (46%) or the takeover of a victim’s accounts (10%).
Top Ten Fraudsters being caught 1 by 1
unknown ID fraudster who stole £650,000 from one victim. The 10 fraudsters are said to be responsible for £200 million worth of fraud in total.
Fraud cost the UK an estimated £38 billion last year – that’s £700 for everyone in the UK.
Lord Ashcroft, Chair of Crimestoppers, points out that fraud isn’t a victimless crime: “Every single one of us is paying higher taxes, bank charges and insurance fees because of fraud.”
Fraud against the public purse accounts for around £27 billion a year, he says. “This is equivalent to 30 per cent of the estimated national education budget for 2011/2012. Think of the many cuts and savings that would not have to occur if we did not suffer this level of fraud.”
■Name unknown: Wanted in connection with the misuse of a debit card and account details in the name of a legitimate customer. £650,000 was transferred out of the customer’s account.
■Nasser Ahmed: wanted for his role in a large scale VAT fraud in the region of £156 million in the Bristol area. He absconded during the trial and was sentenced to 6 years in his absence.
■Timur Mehmet: wanted for his role in a large scale VAT fraud of £25 million. He absconded prior to his trial and was sentenced in his absence to 8 years imprisonment.
■Misba Uddin: wanted for fraud by false representation after he submitted a number of fraudulent mortgage applications totaling £5.7 million pounds whilst working as a financial advisor. Once the mortgages were processed he transferred the funds in to his own accounts.
■Ajayi Seun: Charged with conspiracy to money launder and has failed to sign on at Sutton Police Station in breach of bail. He is believed to have conned mortgage lenders and banks out of more than £12 million.
■Peter Stead: Allegedly tricked several Derby landlords out of money in the summer of 2009. He offered to put on a comedy night to raise money for the Lewis Mighty Fund. He was given cash by landlords to secure the booking but failed to perform. The fund was launched to send four-year-old Lewis, a cancer patient, to America for treatment.
■Mohamad Khan: Responsible for using counterfeit credit cards in order to purchase high value items costing more than £100,000. He was arrested by Police and charged, however, subsequently failed to attend Crown Court. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Fraud cost the UK an estimated £38 billion last year – that’s £700 for everyone in the UK.
Lord Ashcroft, Chair of Crimestoppers, points out that fraud isn’t a victimless crime: “Every single one of us is paying higher taxes, bank charges and insurance fees because of fraud.”
Fraud against the public purse accounts for around £27 billion a year, he says. “This is equivalent to 30 per cent of the estimated national education budget for 2011/2012. Think of the many cuts and savings that would not have to occur if we did not suffer this level of fraud.”
■Name unknown: Wanted in connection with the misuse of a debit card and account details in the name of a legitimate customer. £650,000 was transferred out of the customer’s account.
■Nasser Ahmed: wanted for his role in a large scale VAT fraud in the region of £156 million in the Bristol area. He absconded during the trial and was sentenced to 6 years in his absence.
■Timur Mehmet: wanted for his role in a large scale VAT fraud of £25 million. He absconded prior to his trial and was sentenced in his absence to 8 years imprisonment.
■Misba Uddin: wanted for fraud by false representation after he submitted a number of fraudulent mortgage applications totaling £5.7 million pounds whilst working as a financial advisor. Once the mortgages were processed he transferred the funds in to his own accounts.
■Ajayi Seun: Charged with conspiracy to money launder and has failed to sign on at Sutton Police Station in breach of bail. He is believed to have conned mortgage lenders and banks out of more than £12 million.
■Peter Stead: Allegedly tricked several Derby landlords out of money in the summer of 2009. He offered to put on a comedy night to raise money for the Lewis Mighty Fund. He was given cash by landlords to secure the booking but failed to perform. The fund was launched to send four-year-old Lewis, a cancer patient, to America for treatment.
■Mohamad Khan: Responsible for using counterfeit credit cards in order to purchase high value items costing more than £100,000. He was arrested by Police and charged, however, subsequently failed to attend Crown Court. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Facebook Fraudster
An ID fraudster has gone to jail for 15 months after using his neighbours’ Facebook accounts to work out the answers to their banks’ security questions – and stealing more than £35,000 over two years.
Neighbours targeted
In a fraud the judge described as “well planned, complex and clever”, Iain Wood, 33, targeted people living in the same block of flats as him in Newcastle.
Wood intercepted the mail of other residents. He was caught with other people’s bills, paperwork and even a passport, which he’d taken from neighbours’ post boxes.
Facebook data used
Then he would go online and say he couldn’t remember his password – and when he was asked security questions about date of birth or mother’s maiden name, he would use information he had found on Facebook and Friends Reunited to answer the questions.
When he successfully accessed accounts, he would change the address details, intercept cards and withdraw cash. Most of the accounts he targeted were dormant but he was able to use the overdraft facility without the victim – who never received statements – finding out.
Neighbours targeted
In a fraud the judge described as “well planned, complex and clever”, Iain Wood, 33, targeted people living in the same block of flats as him in Newcastle.
Wood intercepted the mail of other residents. He was caught with other people’s bills, paperwork and even a passport, which he’d taken from neighbours’ post boxes.
Facebook data used
Then he would go online and say he couldn’t remember his password – and when he was asked security questions about date of birth or mother’s maiden name, he would use information he had found on Facebook and Friends Reunited to answer the questions.
When he successfully accessed accounts, he would change the address details, intercept cards and withdraw cash. Most of the accounts he targeted were dormant but he was able to use the overdraft facility without the victim – who never received statements – finding out.
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