Over 800 fraud victims get their money back

12 April 2010

Over 800 people who were the victims of a criminal mail fraud have had their money returned to them by SOCA.

Letters to every individual, containing cheques for between £10 and £60, have been sent from SOCA’s Executive Director of Intervention Paul Evans and will arrive on doormats in the next few days.

The victims’ letters were seized during an investigation into a sophisticated mass market fraud.

Mass market fraud is the invasive email, post and telephone scams that promise everything from lottery wins and cash prizes, through to inheritance from unknown relatives. A lot of schemes are highly plausible, and there are numerous different schemes designed to appeal to different people. The OFT estimates that the cost to the UK is at least £3.5 billion a year, and the cost is borne by individuals - no bank or insurer covers the loss.  

There is lots of information available on how to protect yourself against becoming a victim.

Action Fraud is the new one-stop-shop for reporting fraud and getting advice.

The Office of Fair Trading and Consumer Direct also provide advice. The Think Jessica campaign provides support to victims and relatives affected by criminal scam mail.

You can also find out more about fraud and how to protect yourself on the SOCA website.