Lord Hanson: Ex-Delyn MP leads new UK crackdown on online fraud

Lord David Hanson, former Delyn MP and now Fraud Minister, has announced plans for a new UK-wide anti-fraud strategy that will focus on international cooperation, data sharing, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in both enabling and combating crime.

Speaking at the Global Anti-Scams Alliance (GASA) summit in London, Lord Hanson said the new strategy, to be published later this year, would form part of the government’s broader Plan for Change.

The strategy comes as the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show a 19% rise in reported fraud cases in the past year. It also follows the second meeting of the Joint Fraud Taskforce under the new government, with ministers calling on technology and telecoms companies to take faster action against online scams.

“Fraud is an increasingly international enterprise run by some of the most appalling criminal gangs operating in the world today,” Lord Hanson said. “That’s why we are determined to work with global partners to build a united front to tackle these criminal networks head-on, wherever they are based.”

A central aim of the strategy will be tackling tech-enabled fraud, including scams using emerging technologies such as AI. Lord Hanson also said AI could support enforcement efforts, reducing the amount of administrative work required by police and prosecutors.

“We’re focused on developing data-sharing tools that will help stop, block and disrupt online harms,” he said, noting that this work would be done alongside industry and law enforcement.

Lord Hanson also used his keynote to announce that the UK will support a Global Fraud Summit, due to be held in Vienna in early 2026. Organised by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and INTERPOL, the summit will bring together dozens of countries to create a united response to what is now the UK’s most commonly experienced crime.

With fraud and cyber crime accounting for half of all online crime in the UK, the government hopes its expanded strategy will be a turning point in tackling organised scams, which often operate across borders.

UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly welcomed the UK’s role in the summit, saying: “Organised fraud is growing increasingly sophisticated and transnational, requiring stronger collaboration across borders and agencies. I welcome the UK’s leadership in driving efforts to combat organised fraud.”

Valdecy Urquiza, INTERPOL Secretary General, added: “Advances in technology, such as AI, have seen online fraud and scams grow in complexity and scale, posing a threat to individuals and organisations alike. A unified response is essential, and these summits are an opportunity to bring the various sectors together.”

Lord Hanson concluded: “Fraud has changed and so too must our response.”