Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 9 September to Question 85113, how many reports have been made to Action Fraud that were not recorded as crimes.

As noted in the response to PQ 85113, the Home Office collects data on the number of fraud and Computer Misuse Act (CMA) cases reported to Action Fraud that have been recorded as criminal offences by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB). The Home Office does not hold the information requested in questions 95751 and 95752.

Reports submitted to Action Fraud are considered by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB). Where enough evidence is available and viable leads are identified, actionable intelligence packages are created and sent to the appropriate local police force.

Reports not deemed viable for investigation by local police forces are not closed but remain under constant consideration for links to newly reported crimes. The intelligence is also used to identify opportunities to disrupt offenders, protect victims, and prevent further frauds.