FCA: £197m lost to investment scams in 2018

Average loss £29,000 per person

Hannah Godfrey
clock • 1 min read

Investment scams led to £197m of reported losses last year, with victims losing an average £29,000 each, data from the national fraud reporting agency Action Fraud has revealed.

And, according to separate data from the FCA's call centre, the most commonly reported scam during 2018 involved shares and bonds, forex and cryptocurrencies, altogether accounting for 85% of all suspected investment scams reported last year. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the profile of investment scams is changing as more and more people are being targeted online, moving away from the traditional cold call. Fraudsters are now contacting people through emails, professional looking websites and social media channels, such as Facebook and Instagram. "These statistics show t...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

FCA dismisses British Steel complaints after lengthy investigation

FCA dismisses British Steel complaints after lengthy investigation

Regulator acknowledges decision will be ‘disappointing’ for complainants

Jenna Brown
clock 22 April 2024 • 2 min read
Agile IT needed as rapid regulation change becomes the norm

Agile IT needed as rapid regulation change becomes the norm

'Gone are the lengthy consultation and rule-setting cycles that often took several years'

Paul Muir
clock 15 April 2024 • 6 min read
Leveling up the playing field when it comes to picking skilled persons

Leveling up the playing field when it comes to picking skilled persons

Given the prerequisite for accuracy, a rigorous selection process is essential

Richard Farr
clock 15 April 2024 • 4 min read