A lot has been written about the UK’s new failure to prevent fraud (‘FTPF’) offence, its potential implications, and what organisations can do to prepare.

With this in mind, while we brace ourselves for the short-term arrival of the guidance and the subsequent enforcement of the offence itself, the following post takes a moment to reflect on the broader implications of FTPF, by exploring its connection to existing requirements in the areas of bribery, ESG and modern slavery.

https://kpmg.com/uk/en/blogs/home/posts/2024/04/what-anti-corruption-successes-can-teach-us-about-the-failure-to-prevent-fraud-offence.html

The UK public agency involved in the fight against corruption, fraud and bribery has been through a difficult period, beset by delays and increasing demands on its time. The organisation has set out a five-year strategy.

The UK Serious Fraud Office, has reportedly launched a review of its past and present cases after finding problems with software used in evidence disclosure. The SFO has also set out its five-year strategy, showing that it intends to use new powers and tools to crack down on alleged wrongdoers.

The Serious Fraud Office’s strategy, launched on 18th April 2024, sets our organisation’s direction, shaping our values, approach and goals over the next five years.

https://www.sfo.gov.uk/2024/04/18/serious-fraud-office-strategy-2024-2029/

All WhatsApp users in the UK have been warned a new scam could see criminals take control of their accounts.

Scammers will pose as family and friends to request a security code, which they can use to steal access to your WhatsApp account.

Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for cybercrime and fraud, has received more than 60 reports related to the new scam.

The DWP is set to change how people are assessed for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in a bid to crack down on benefit fraud.

It comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced he was worried that the current system was being 'misused'.

The Tory leader spoke of how PIP awards can come off the back of 'subjective and unverifiable claims' that physical or mental illnesses and disabilities are affecting a person's life. Some conditions don't show on medical scans or tests, so the department must take the word of the person claiming on the severity of their own specific condition, Birmingham Live reports.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/dwp-to-make-changes-to-pip-in-order-to-crack-down-on-benefit-fraud/ar-AA1nqmlc?ocid=socialshare

Privacy activist group Big Brother Watch has questioned the legality of the plan for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to run checks on the financial data of benefits claimants.

DWP has said the organisation’s claims are false and emphasised the intent to use the powers to reduce benefits fraud.

https://www.ukauthority.com/articles/privacy-group-attacks-plan-for-dwp-fraud-checks-on-bank-data/

A UK-founded website used to defraud victims on an industrial scale has been infiltrated by police, leading to a number of arrests around the world.

As many as 70,000 UK victims were tricked by LabHost's scams, which obtained 480,000 card numbers and 64,000 PINs globally.

https://www.itv.com/news/2024-04-18/dozens-arrested-and-thousands-of-victims-contacted-after-scam-site-taken-offline

Consultancy firm will support new pilot Public Sector Fraud Authority Enforcement Unit.

The Cabinet Office has signed a contract with Deloitte to provide professional services support for a new unit which will work with departments and public bodies to tackle fraud.

https://www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/article/cabinet-office-signs-up-deloitte-to-support-counterfraud-enforcement-unit-pilot

“Criminals are finding new and sophisticated ways to target consumers, such as through social media and AI and deepfake technology,” Mike Haley, CEO of Cifas said.

Increasingly advanced technology has allowed fraudsters to increase the sophistication and efficacy of their malicious social engineering ploys, new research has found.

https://www.digit.fyi/social-engineering-ramps-up-with-ai-tools/

Telecommunications giant AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) recently disclosed a significant data breach dating back to 2021 that resulted in the exposure of sensitive information belonging to 73 million users and is now circulating on the dark web.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/73-million-t-users-data-173015617.html