Detectives tackling web fraud say: ‘We’re playing catch-up’

Fraud now costs the country £38bn a year, the majority of which is deception via the internet.

Thousands of businesses and residents across Yorkshire are falling victim to increasingly sophisticated scams often bought by organised crime groups and sent out in bulk over the web.

The scale of the problem means some large-scale organisations are being bombarded with up to 200 e-crime attacks a second, while charities representing vulnerable pensioners in Yorkshire say many are being placed on online “sucker lists” and being left without money to buy food or pay heating bills.

Today, as the Yorkshire Post continues its investigation into the internet crimewave gripping the region, seniors police officers say they lack the resources to make a serious impact and will continue to lag behind.

Detective Inspector Ian Wills, of North Yorkshire Police’s financial investigation unit, said: “The internet is a vehicle for fraudsters to hide themselves away.

“It makes it indescribably complicated to unravel.

“The issue we have always had is if numerous victims are spread all over the place reporting this, then is it appropriate for ratepayers in North Yorkshire to put resources into an initial investigation?

“Sometimes you can spend an awful amount of money just getting to that point. In some cases you get so far then realise you cannot take it on any more.

“There is a realisation that more needs to be done. What is frustrating is the volume it has grown to and that with the best will in the world, when you have got limited resources you can only do so much.”

The problem has spiralled following the absorption of the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit into the Serious and Organised Crime Agency in 2006, which according to an Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) report created “a gap at national level within the police service”, a “reduced focus on prevention” and a “lack of clear co-ordination of police resources”.

A national fraud and internet crime reporting centre has since been created with City of London Police named as the lead force. A new Europe-wide reporting centre is also soon to be established.

But despite efforts to curtail what are now hugely sophisticated online frauds, investigators are braced for a new wave of cyber attacks targeting smart phones. They also say chip and pin card protection may soon no longer be sufficient.

Tim Hollis, chief constable of Humberside Police, said: “When I started as a street cop, to commit fraud you had to do it personally and there was a high element of risk. Today the modern fraudster can be based in West Africa or Eastern Europe.

“My impression is there has been a marked increase in fraud as a result of criminals online.

“You can do this anonymously now, over the web.

“There are issues about what is the responsibilty of the industry.

“I suspect we will always be playing catch up. The criminals are not constrained by legislation or morals, they can operate quickly and effectively. They are not constrained by using [the internet] in a way the police are.”