Today the Government publishes its Fraud Strategy 2026, outlining the Government’s response to tackling to most common crime in the UK.

Fraud affects millions of people and businesses every year. It causes severe financial losses, emotional harm, and it undermines confidence in our economy and our digital systems. These crimes are often committed by transnational, organised crime groups who are becoming more sophisticated. These criminals are leveraging technology, exploiting global networks, and adapting faster than ever and this requires an equally sophisticated response. The Fraud Strategy 2026 sets out our plan to tackle fraud. Working alongside law enforcement and industry, it is built on three pillars: Disrupt, Safeguard, and Respond.

First, we will disrupt fraud before it reaches victims by reducing criminals’ access to the tools they use to reach victims. To achieve this, we will launch the Online Crime Centre, a new capability that will bring together law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and industry expertise to identify and dismantle fraud networks. We will also work with industry and regulators to shut down some of the most frequent avenues for criminals including those that abuse the telecommunications networks, social media and online advertising. With the majority of fraud having an overseas element, we will also strengthen international disruption efforts and build a global coalition including by sponsoring the 2026 Global Fraud Summit hosted by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime and Interpol.

Second, we will safeguard UK citizens’ and businesses by reducing vulnerability and building resilience among individuals and businesses. We will expand proactive policing initiatives and use advanced data models to identify fraud hotspots and deploy targeted interventions, especially to the most vulnerable. We will also provide clear, accessible advice to help people recognise fraud, protect their personal information, and take action before harm occurs. Building on the success of the Stop! Think Fraud campaign we will scale up our national communications effort to deliver consistent, impactful messaging across multiple forms of communication.

Third, when fraud does occur, we must respond with the support and justice that victims are entitled to. We will standardise victim support services and ensure each one receives consistent care, regardless of where in the country they live. Following its launch this year, the new Report Fraud service will replace the Action Fraud with a new, modern and user-friendly platform that simplifies reporting and provides timely updates, offering greater intelligence for law enforcement to act on. We will also explore the use of civil powers to complement criminal proceedings so that we can respond more swiftly and deliver faster, more effective justice for victims.

This Strategy represents our efforts to fight fraud alongside partners. Delivering against the commitments in the strategy will make the United Kingdom a harder place for criminals to target and a safer place to live, work and do business.

The Fraud Strategy (CP 1523) has been laid before the House and is also available on GOV.UK.

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wms/?id=2026-03-09.hlws1385.0