Skip to main contentEnter

Suffolk students defrauded of staggering £842,000 last year

News

Action Fraud has launched a campaign highlighting the top scams targeting young people, with Suffolk students losing over £840,000 last year.

Action Fraud warns local students of top scams as the new academic year begins, with 608 fraud reports filed in Suffolk during 2023.

What's new: As Suffolk students return to school, college and university, Action Fraud is highlighting five common fraud types targeting young people across the UK:

Investment fraud cost victims £29.5m nationwide: Criminals target students through social media, luring them with promises of quick returns on cryptocurrency or high-yield schemes.

Online shopping scams resulted in £9.2m in losses: Fraudsters create fake websites or replicate legitimate stores, tricking students into providing personal and financial information for non-existent purchases.

Rental fraud saw £4.3m stolen: Scammers often target students seeking university accommodation, asking for upfront fees without allowing property viewings.

Ticket fraud accounted for £1.1m in losses: Fraudsters exploit high-demand events, selling fake tickets to students looking for deals on freshers' events and other popular gatherings.

Fake job fraud cost victims £150,000: Students searching for work opportunities fall prey to fraudulent job adverts to steal personal information or money through upfront payments for non-existent services.

Why it matters: Almost 69,000 fraud reports were received from young people across the UK in 2023, with total losses of £143.7m. In Suffolk alone, there were 608 reports totaling £842,169 in losses – £1,385 per

What they're saying: "Young people can be a primary target for fraudsters," said Adam Mercer, Deputy Director of Action Fraud. "It's important to look out for these top frauds and for students to protect themselves online, as well as in-person, from different types of fraud."

How to stay safe:

  • Use strong, unique passwords for online accounts

  • Be cautious about transferring money, especially under pressure

  • Verify authenticity before making purchases or paying fees

  • Report suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk

  • Report suspicious texts or calls to 7726

The bottom line: Students should remain vigilant and report any suspected fraud to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

Serial waste offender faces High Court action after decades of illegal dumping

News

A man previously convicted of allowing cocaine production on his land has been ordered to stop illegal waste disposal activities at the same site, following multiple failed prosecutions over 20 years.

Why it matters: The case highlights how persistent offenders can continue environmental crimes despite repeated prosecutions, forcing councils to pursue expensive High Court action, often at the taxpayer's expense.

The big picture: Paul Arthur Fenton, 59, of Hadleigh, has been prosecuted four times since 2001 for illegal waste activities at Flowton Pit. Despite these convictions, the illegal dumping continued, leading Suffolk County Council to seek a High Court injunction.

Illegal waste dumped at the site in Flowton, near Ipswich
Paul Fenton has been ordered to stop illegal waste disposal activities at the site in Flowton, near IpswichSuffolk County Council

Details:

  • The High Court has now ordered Fenton to cease all waste disposal at the Flowton Road site

  • He must remove all waste materials within three months, by 27 November 2024

  • Fenton did not respond to pre-action letters or attend the court hearing

  • The site has previously been linked to criminal activity, with Fenton convicted of allowing it to be used for cocaine production

What they're saying: "We will not stand for the actions of people like Mr Fenton, whose behaviour is wholly selfish with no regard for others," said Councillor Chris Chambers, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste.

Illegal waste dumped at the site in Flowton, near Ipswich
The High Court has now ordered Fenton to cease all waste disposal at the Flowton Road siteSuffolk County Council

Impact on community:

  • Local businesses affected by unfair competition from illegal disposal

  • Environmental damage, including possible destruction of badger setts

  • Disruption to rural and residential areas

  • Impact on local access routes

The bottom line: Despite two decades of enforcement action, it took a High Court injunction to finally force action at this problematic waste site, highlighting the challenges authorities face in stopping persistent environmental offenders.

Load next article