Gloucestershire Police have frozen more than £400,000 of suspected criminal assets and made 16 arrests during a month-long operation to tackle fraud.
Gloucestershire officers conducted searches across the county, including premises in Dursley, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, Cirencester and Bourton-on-the-Water.
Throughout February, officers across the Force took part in Operation Henhouse; a National Economic Crime Centre initiative that provides funding for police to undertake additional operational activity against fraudsters.
Every police force in the UK and Regional Organised Crime Unit took part in the operation and they were joined by national agencies including the Financial Conduct Authority, National Crime Agency and National Trading Standards.
The Force’s social media platforms were used to raise awareness of the emerging threat of holiday fraud, which is where victims pay for accommodation, flights or entire holidays that simply do not exist.
Fraud is the most prevalent crime in the UK, causing victims long-lasting emotional and psychological harm as well as financial loss.
It accounts for approximately 41% of all crime reports, and costs an estimated £6.8bn each year in England and Wales alone.
A spokesperson from Gloucestershire Police’s Economic Crime Team said: “Criminals target the most vulnerable people in our communities and the impact on them is often financially and emotionally devastating.
“We are committed to catching fraudsters and welcomed this opportunity to send a clear message to offenders that we will work tirelessly to bring them to justice.”
For advice on how to spot the tactics and techniques commonly used by fraudsters, to help reduce your risk of becoming a victim, visit the new Stop! Think Fraud website at stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk
If you suspect you have been the victim of fraud, visit Action Fraud for advice at www.actionfraud.police.uk and report it online or by calling 0300 123 2040.
If you have information about those committing any type of economic crime or cybercrime, you can pass information via Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: crimestoppers-uk.org
