North leads the way in the battle against fraud

Jun 1 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

ANTI-FRAUD experts in the region could play a lead role in the creation of a national fraud bureau to curb soaring levels of white-collar crime during the recession.

That is according to the North East Fraud Forum (NEFF), which also believes the region is five years ahead of the rest of the country in terms of tackling fraudsters through its collaborative network of public and private sector players.

Last week, the city of London police called for the creation of a national fraud intelligence bureau as new figures revealed a 64% rise in reported fraud in the last financial year.

Commissioner Mike Bowron said a heightened sense of financial caution among businesses caused by the economic downturn may have exposed frauds which have been going on for some time.

He also said there had been an increased amount of elaborate mortgage frauds involving bent lawyers, estate agents and developers during the credit crunch.

Meanwhile, the NEFF has backed the Commissioner’s call for the launch of an anti-fraud bureau in which the police, banks and insurance companies work together to tackle fraudsters.