The number of fraud cases in the UK has soared this year as the COVID-19 epidemic has created perfect conditions for criminals to use the blockade to carry out fraud.
Fraud charges in British courts doubled in the first six months of this year, according to a report released by KPMG UK on Wednesday.
However, despite the surge in the number of cases, the amount involved fell by 70 per cent to £139 million (about $193 million), a fraction of the £895 million in the first half of 2018.
Roy Waligora, head of UK investigations at KPMG, said the decline could be due to a lack of high-profile trials and lengthy court delays in more complex cases.
Phishing, text message fraud and other small-scale crimes targeting the British public increased by 285% in the first half of this year. Fraud cases against the government have also increased-including the first case of fraud using unpaid leave.