Police Arrest Operators Of 25 Fake Government Websites

UK police forces have disrupted at least 25 websites that specialised in imitating government services, making five arrests and executing four search warrants.

Some of these websites offered visitors to pay tax, apply for a driving licence or a passport, but in reality, were designed to steal money and collect personal details.

“The enforcement action which the National Trading Standards eCrime team has taken demonstrates the government’s commitment to tackling these scammers,” said Jo Swinson, Minister for Consumer Affairs. “We will not let them get away with misleading consumers.”

The National Trading Standards Board (NTSB) has launched an educational campaign, reminding citizens that since 2012, most government websites have moved onto a single web address – GOV.UK.

Gone phishing

As the number of government services online is increasing in accordance with the Digital by Default strategy, so does the number of scammers willing to take advantage of the current lack of digital skills.

According to NTSB, the misleading websites often use URLs that include fragments such as ‘govuk’, ‘directgov’ or relevant organisation names to make them appear as official providers of certain services. Similar design features are also incorporated to replicate the ‘look and feel’ of official websites.

The Citizens Advice Bureau received 5,000 complaints about such websites in 2013 alone, while Advertising Standards Authority got another 700.

NTSB eCrime Team has finally acted on these reports, helping arrest five individuals and raid four properties linked to fake government websites.

In order to highlight the dangers of the technique known as ‘phishing’, the NTSB has also launched a campaign which educates Internet users on how to spot non-authentic websites.

“We urge you to avoid unofficial websites which could leave you out-of-pocket or at risk of identity theft. Only use the GOV.UK website to find government services. If you come across copycat websites, report them to Citizens Advice,” commented Lord Toby Harris, chair of the NTSB.

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