Scammers and organised criminals are manipulating online ticket retail sites, including by use ‘bots’ to mass purchase tickets for major events such as music concerts and sports matches. So warns National Trading Standards (NTS) in its third annual ‘Consumer Harm Report‘.
The NTS’ e-crime work includes copycat websites and subscription traps and that secondary ticketing. The report says: “Digital platforms are an ever-expanding platform for criminals and the NTS eCrime Team is at the forefront of tackling some of these issues.” For example a fraudulent ‘blue badge’ scheme was reported to Citizens Advice and Action Fraud. The scam diverted online users looking to apply for a blue parking badge to a ‘copycat’ website, which looked to mimic, misleadingly, the official service provided on GOV.UK; asking for money for a badge that never arrived.
As the report sets out, those that can help (and are being trained) to help combat such scams are Royal Mail staff
at postal entry points who can identify scam mail; and bank staff, who can raise concerns if someone elderly or otherwise vulnerable-looking enters a bank and asks to withdraw a large amount of money, to pay dodgy or downright fraudulent tradesmen for over-priced or even dangerous works.
The NTS reports that it secured 104 criminal convictions last year, leading to 174 years in prison sentences being handed down; a record number of convictions for it in a single year.
Those convictions included the first of a criminal operating copycat websites as well as the first for the distribution of illegal Kodi and IPTV boxes (which allow users to illegally access premium and subscription TV content). The report also warns consumers about potential emerging threats that could rise over the year, including:
– Global criminal networks operating mass marketing frauds (imaginary lotteries, made-up competitions, fake prize draws
and clairvoyant scams, that rake in an estimated billions of pounds a year) and using new tactics to avoid detection including mail arriving via third party countries and the use of ‘blank’ envelopes;
– The growth of social media as a selling platform – putting consumers at risk of intellectual property crime and product safety issues as well as subscription traps and many other scams;
– The risk posed by connected devices such as Smart TVs and home assistants which may leave consumers open to data theft; and
– Increasing sophistication of doorstep criminals who use websites, social media, fake reviews and are increasingly part of larger organised crime groups.
Lord Toby Harris, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “This year’s report shows the success National Trading Standards is having in tackling criminal activity and protecting consumers. Preventing nearly half a billion of losses to consumers and business over the last three years and a record year in terms of the number of convictions secured is something we are proud of. Our message to criminals is clear: we will not hesitate to prosecute you and bring you to justice.
“However, we cannot rest on our laurels or become complacent. We know that every day criminals are becoming more sophisticated and are exploiting new trends and technologies to find new ways to deceive and defraud consumers and legitimate businesses. As our report highlights there are a number of emerging threats to consumers; some of these are new threats such as the risks from connected devices but others are examples on criminals deploying new tactics in relation to old scams, such as mass marketing fraud. I would urge consumers to remain vigilant, to take care online and to look out for family members and neighbours. I’d also remind people to report anything suspicious to the Citizen’s Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.”
About NTS
NTS brings together trading standards departments across England and Wales, providing consumer protection; its enforcement priorities include mass marketing fraud, internet scams and illegal money lending (loan sharks).
For the 16-page harm report, visit http://www.nationaltradingstandards.uk/.
