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The replacement for the UK’s Action Fraud service, which has faced criticism for its effectiveness, has been postponed once again. The new expected launch is set for the spring of 2025, as confirmed by Nik Adams from the City of London Police. The delay has been attributed to the desire to ensure the new system is fully functional and reliable before its release.
The current Action Fraud system has been deemed inadequate by the House of Commons Justice Committee, especially in light of the increasing rates of fraud affecting the nation. The Public Accounts Committee has also expressed serious concerns, going so far as to label the service ‘Inaction Fraud’ due to its failure to support victims adequately.
The new service aims to enhance intelligence capabilities for the police and improve communication with victims reporting incidents. Originally scheduled for launch in April of this year, the deadline was not met, and a subsequent 2024 target has now been shifted to 2025.
Despite the lack of a formal explanation for the delay, the City of London Police has indicated progress in essential technical projects that will expedite the investigation process for reported crimes. PwC and Capita have been contracted to deliver the new service, with TORI recently securing a £1 million contract to meet the technical requirements.
The success of the forthcoming service hinges on public confidence and reporting. Adams emphasized the importance of getting the system right to maintain public trust. The new service promises a more user-friendly interface for submitting information, including metadata and images, and a more efficient tool for analyzing data to extract intelligence value.
Jonathan Frost, a fraud and cybercrime consultant, highlighted the historical underfunding of the service and the need for a well-formulated intelligence collection plan. The upcoming system will also keep the public updated on their cases, providing feedback on the intelligence value of their reports and any connections to larger investigations.
Adams expressed concern that upcoming regulations requiring banks to reimburse fraud victims might lead to a decrease in reports to Action Fraud. The design of the new project prioritizes victim reporting, with assurances that feedback will be provided even if it takes years to connect information to broader investigations.
The rebranding of the new service is underway, currently referred to as the Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting and Analysis System (FCCRAS). The latest budget from the City of London Police, issued before the contract with TORI, estimated the total cost of FCCRAS at just over £31 million, with a slight overspend. More recent financial details have not been disclosed.
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