According to data from CIFAS, the UKs Fraud Prevention Service, 48 percent of Britons have expressed a preference for this measure. The same source indicates that stripping criminals of their assets has ranked second, being preferred by 36 percent of respondents, while naming and shaming criminals was chosen by 16 percent of UK citizens.
Richard Hurley, communications manager at CIFAS, cited by online media outlet Misco, has declared that the Fraud Act of 2006 already made it possible to send convicted fraudsters to prison for several years. However, only a relatively small number of scammers find themselves before a criminal court, which may be due to the cost and time required for prosecution.
Richard Hurley has also mentioned that results show that people want to see scammers punished accordingly and get the message, namely that their criminal actions will lead to prosecution and tough punitive measures. There is an apparent desire to address the problem of fraud by more than improvement in safety protocols and additional protective measures taken by individuals. Tougher punitive measures could become reality given the Financial Conduct Authoritys recently proclaimed intention to turn the UK into a hostile place for financial criminals, as well as the current consultation by the Sentencing Council on the issues of fraud, bribery and money laundering.
The UKs Fraud Prevention Service presented respondents with three choices, asking them to pick the type of action they would like to see stepped up as a deterrent against fraud.
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