Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Gagan Mohindra Excerpts
Monday 22nd May 2023

(1 year, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Nigel Mills Portrait Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con)
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5. What steps her Department is taking to tackle fraud.

Gagan Mohindra Portrait Mr Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con)
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8. What steps her Department is taking to tackle fraud.

Martin Vickers Portrait Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)
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13. What steps her Department is taking to tackle fraud.

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Gagan Mohindra Portrait Mr Mohindra
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At my surgery in Sarratt last month I met Catherine, whose father was defrauded out of thousands after taking a call from a man who he thought worked for Virgin Media. Catherine only found out after her father unfortunately passed away and she found all the emails he had sent attempting to get his money back—a battle that Catherine has now taken on. Can the Minister tell the House what he is doing to stop vulnerable people being targeted by fraudsters?

Tom Tugendhat Portrait Tom Tugendhat
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May I offer absolute sympathy to Catherine? Sadly, although my hon. Friend is citing the case of an older man who was the target of crime, this is a crime that affects many people of all ages across our society. It is not specifically connected to the most vulnerable; rather, it predominantly affects people who are online more often, which, as one can imagine, includes many people across society. We are rolling out the nationwide economic crime victim care unit across England and Wales, for victims whose cases are not investigated by the police. This group will help victims to recover from fraud and cyber-crime, and will significantly reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation.