Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Accepted
Fraud is a global issue and criminals are increasingly using the internet to target victims...
Conclusion
Fraud is a global issue and criminals are increasingly using the internet to target victims from anywhere in the world. In the year to June 2022, 80% of frauds in England and Wales were enabled through computer technology, and the NCA estimates that around 70% of frauds have an international element. The NCA told us that this international element can cause significant delays to investigations as cases are complex and gathering evidence from overseas can be very time-consuming. The NCA acknowledged that a more proactive approach is needed to stop these crimes before they happen, rather than waiting until a fraud has been committed to then have to investigate a complex international crime.45
Government Response Summary
The government will develop stronger partnerships with international partners to share best practice and work together to reduce fraud globally and will work more closely with law enforcement, the private sector and the international community to further develop our evidence base and to drive forward greater intelligence and information sharing with a Global Fraud Summit planned for 2024.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
7. PAC conclusion: The Department has not prioritised developing relationships with international criminal justice agencies. 7. PAC recommendation: The Department should set out, as part of its Treasury Minute response, how it will achieve a step change in the breadth and strength of its international relationships as part of its efforts to tackle fraud. 7.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2024 7.2 The Fraud Strategy sets out how the UK will drive global action on fraud. The government will develop stronger partnerships with international partners to share best practice and work together to reduce fraud globally. 7.3 The government will work more closely with law enforcement, the private sector and the international community to further develop our evidence base and to drive forward greater intelligence and information sharing. This will support co-ordinated and targeted efforts to disrupt fraudsters before they can reach the UK public. 7.4 The government’s international work is already underway, and we have established an international working group to identify mutual areas of interest. This engagement will culminate in a Home Secretary chaired Global Fraud Summit in 2024 where we will aim to agree an international co-ordinated action plan to dismantle fraud networks.