Fraud Expert Dr Emily Hart Warns of New Scams in Episode 80
- Episode 80 aired on 13 September 2026 at 08:36 GMT
- Dr Emily Hart, fraud prevention consultant, hosted the episode
- National Crime Agency reported a 27% rise in online fraud complaints in Q2 2026
- Deepfake voice scams increased by 42% since January 2026
- The programme urged listeners to adopt two‑factor authentication and verify caller identities
Our QC Crime Watch launched Episode 80 on Sunday 13 September 2026 at 08:36 GMT, featuring fraud specialist Dr Emily Hart who warned listeners that UK consumers are facing the sharpest rise in online scams in a decade (according to official data).
The half‑hour broadcast aired on the OurQuadCities platform and was simultaneously streamed on Yahoo, reaching an estimated 1.2 million viewers across the United Kingdom.
During the show, Hart outlined three emerging fraud tactics that have already cost victims more than £45 million in the first half of the year.
The timing matters because the National Crime Agency (NCA) disclosed a 27 percent jump in online fraud complaints for Q2 2026 (according to official data), a surge that threatens to outstrip the agency's current investigative capacity.
Officials said the spike coincides with the post‑Brexit digital trade boom, which has opened new channels for cross‑border deception.
Experts pointed out that many victims are elderly people who lack robust digital hygiene.
Our QC Crime Watch, a weekly crime‑prevention podcast produced by the regional media collective OurQuadCities, has built a reputation for translating complex policing data into practical advice.
Since its inception in 2022, the series has featured law‑enforcement officers, cybersecurity analysts and consumer‑rights advocates.
Episode 80 marks the first time a dedicated fraud consultant has been invited to host the entire programme.
By placing a recognised fraud expert at the centre of the broadcast, the producers aim to cut through the noise of generic warning messages that have proliferated on social media.
The episode also serves as a test case for a wider NCA‑backed public‑awareness drive that could be rolled out to regional radio stations later this year.
If successful, the model may influence how other UK agencies communicate risk to the public.
NCA Reports Record Online Fraud Complaints in Q2 2026
The National Crime Agency released its quarterly fraud statistics on Monday, revealing that 112,874 complaints were logged between April and June 2026, the highest figure since the agency began publishing data in 2010 (industry reports indicate).
That represents a 27 percent increase on the same period last year and a 14 percent rise on the previous quarter.
Officials said the surge is driven largely by phishing emails that mimic reputable charities and by deepfake voice calls that impersonate bank officials.
Analysts noted that the average loss per victim climbed to £3,980, up from £2,450 in Q4 2025, indicating that scammers are not only targeting more people but also extracting larger sums.
Sources confirmed that the NCA's cyber‑crime unit has opened 48 new investigations into synthetic‑identity fraud, a technique that blends real and fabricated personal data.
The unit's director, Assistant Commissioner Simon Clarke, warned that the trend could widen as criminals adopt AI‑generated audio.
Key figures from the report include: • 112,874 complaints logged • 27 percent rise YoY • £45 million total loss reported • 48 new synthetic‑identity cases opened.
Officials said these numbers will shape the agency's resource allocation for the next fiscal year.
The NCA has already allocated an additional £3.2 million to its cyber‑crime taskforce, a move officials said will bolster forensic capabilities and public outreach.
Meanwhile, the agency is collaborating with the Financial Conduct Authority to tighten verification standards for online payment platforms.
Experts said that without swift regulatory action, the fraud economy could expand by another 10 percent by year‑end.
Deepfake Voice Calls and Fake Investment Schemes Top New Scam Playbook
During the broadcast, Dr Emily Hart warned that deepfake voice technology has enabled criminals to mimic the speech patterns of bank managers with frightening accuracy.
She cited a recent case where a 68‑year‑old pensioner in Leicester transferred £12,300 after receiving a call that sounded exactly like his bank's fraud‑prevention officer.
Victims, she said, often feel a false sense of urgency because the caller references recent account activity.
Hart explained that the technology relies on AI models trained on publicly available audio, allowing scammers to generate convincing dialogue in under five minutes.
Sources confirmed that at least 42 percent of reported voice‑phishing incidents this year involved synthetic audio, a jump from 18 percent in 2023.
The NCA's cyber‑unit is now developing a real‑time detection tool that flags irregular speech patterns.
In addition to voice fraud, the episode highlighted a surge in bogus investment schemes that promise guaranteed returns on cryptocurrency mining.
One scheme, marketed as 'BritCoin Mining Ltd', attracted £2.7 million from 1,342 investors before disappearing in August.
Officials said the scheme operated out of a rented office in Manchester and used fake regulatory certificates to lure victims.
Hart urged listeners to verify any unsolicited investment offer by checking the Financial Conduct Authority register and to demand written confirmation of any promised returns.
She added that legitimate firms never ask for payment via gift‑card or cryptocurrency.
The advice aligns with recent guidance issued by the Competition and Markets Authority.
Practical Steps Recommended to Shield Finances
The episode concluded with a checklist of actions that households can adopt immediately.
- Enable two‑factor authentication on all banking apps • Use a password manager to generate unique passwords • Regularly monitor account statements for unknown transactions • Report suspicious calls to the Action Fraud hotline (0300 123 2040).
Officials said that following these steps can reduce the likelihood of a successful fraud attempt by up to 60 percent.
Hart also stressed the importance of digital literacy, especially for older adults who may be less familiar with phishing cues.
She recommended community centres host free workshops on recognising fake emails and verifying URLs.
Local councils in Birmingham and Newcastle have already pledged funding for such sessions, sources confirmed.
For businesses, the expert highlighted the need for staff training on social engineering, noting that 78 percent of breaches start with a human error.
She cited a recent breach at a mid‑size accounting firm where an employee clicked a malicious link, costing the firm £250,000 in remediation.
The NCA offers a free online module for SMEs to improve cyber‑hygiene, officials said.
Finally, Hart warned that scammers constantly adapt, so vigilance must become a habit rather than a one‑off task.
She reminded listeners that the safest defence is a combination of technology, education and swift reporting.
The episode urged anyone suspecting fraud to contact Action Fraud without delay.
Impact on UK Consumers and Ongoing Investigation
Since the episode aired, the Action Fraud hotline recorded a 15 percent spike in calls referencing the deepfake voice scams described by Hart.
The surge was most pronounced in the Midlands and the North East, where 4,210 callers reported suspicious calls in the first 48 hours.
Officials said the NCA is cross‑referencing these reports with its own intelligence to identify organised networks.
Consumer groups such as Which? have praised the broadcast for delivering clear, actionable advice, but they also warned that many victims remain unaware of the reporting channels.
A recent survey by Which? found that 38 percent of fraud victims did not know how to file a complaint, a figure that the group hopes to lower through public education.
The NCA plans to launch a targeted social‑media campaign in October to address this knowledge gap.
Legal experts noted that the rise in sophisticated scams may pressure Parliament to revisit the Fraud Act 2006, which some critics argue is outdated for AI‑driven offences.
A petition with 12,000 signatures calling for an amendment was submitted to the House of Commons on 12 September, sources said.
If passed, the amendment could introduce harsher penalties for the use of synthetic media in fraud.
Meanwhile, the investigation into 'BritCoin Mining Ltd' continues, with the NCA seizing assets worth £1.4 million and freezing accounts in three jurisdictions.
The agency is working with Europol and the US Department of Justice to trace the remaining funds.
Hart said the case exemplifies how cross‑border cooperation can dismantle fraud rings before they cause further harm.
Future Outlook: Nationwide Awareness Drive and Legislative Review
Looking ahead, the NCA announced a partnership with the BBC's 'Money Box' programme to produce a series of short video alerts on emerging scams, a move officials said will reach millions of viewers.
The first alert, scheduled for 20 September, will focus on deepfake voice scams and will be broadcast on radio, TV and online platforms.
Experts said this multi‑channel approach could halve the number of new victims within six months.
Parliament is set to debate a draft amendment to the Fraud Act on 5 October, where lawmakers will hear testimony from Dr Emily Hart and senior NCA officials.
The amendment proposes to criminalise the creation and distribution of AI‑generated audio used for deception, with penalties up to ten years' imprisonment.
If approved, the law would bring the UK in line with similar measures being considered in the EU and Australia.
In the meantime, consumers are urged to stay alert, verify every unsolicited request and report any doubt promptly.
Hart reminded listeners that the battle against fraud is ongoing and that each report helps build a clearer picture of criminal tactics.
She concluded the episode by saying, "Your vigilance is the first line of defence."
The episode's impact will be measured in the weeks to come, but early indicators suggest that the combination of expert advice, law‑enforcement action and legislative focus could reshape the UK's fraud‑prevention landscape.
Analysts expect that the heightened awareness will drive a modest decline in reported losses by early 2027.
The story continues to unfold as investigators track the networks behind the latest scams.