Overview
- The Home Office and National Crime Agency confirmed the Online Crime Centre will begin operations in April as part of an expanded fraud strategy.
- Police, intelligence agencies including GCHQ, banks, mobile networks and major tech firms will share real‑time data to block scam texts, freeze criminal accounts and remove fraudulent websites and social media profiles.
- The government allocated over £30m to the new unit within a wider £250m, five‑year commitment to counter fraud.
- Planned tools include AI systems to spot and stop suspicious bank transfers and the use of scam‑baiting chatbots to gather intelligence for takedowns.
- Ministers said the centre will target overseas scam compounds and pursue cooperation at the Global Fraud Summit in Vienna, alongside a new Fraud Victims Charter setting national standards for response, care and reimbursement guidance.