Courier fraud alert: City of London Police go for gold in courier fraud crackdown in Hatton Garden, with more than £21m lost in the last financial year.

The City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud, has launched a targeted intensification in Hatton Garden — the capital’s renowned jewellery quarter — in a concerted crackdown on courier fraud that has cost victims more than £21 million over the past financial year.

The initiative builds on the momentum of a successful courier fraud enforcement delivered in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service earlier this year. That collaborative effort saw 13 arrests, eight charges, 63 proactive deployments and more than £250k in criminal cash seized sending a clear message to fraudsters operating across London that police forces are closing in on them — together.

The intensification sees a surge in enforcement activity, increased patrols and engagement with the Hatton Garden business community to raise awareness, identify suspicious behaviour and bolster protections for potential victims.

As part of the wider strategy, officers are visiting retail units as well as engaging with local taxi firms to raise awareness. In many cases, victims are instructed to visit jewellers via a cab — often incurring steep travel costs.

In one Sussex case, an 84-year-old woman was targeted by scammers impersonating a police officer. She was persuaded to withdraw cash and travel via taxi to a bullion dealer in Slough to buy gold. The fraudsters remained on the phone throughout and attempted to arrange a courier pickup. Fortunately, her family intervened before the assets were handed over.

Data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), run by the City of London Police, reveals that 1,797 reports of courier fraud were received in the last financial year, with an average loss per victim of just over £12,000. The five police force areas reporting the highest total losses were the Metropolitan Police Service, Thames Valley Police, Cheshire Constabulary, Hampshire Constabulary, and Essex Police. 

To stay safe and protect yourself:

Remember, staying cautious and sceptical can go a long way in protecting yourself from courier fraud. Take the time to verify information, seek advice from trusted sources, and never rush into making financial decisions under pressure.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040, or call Police Scotland on 101.