*The areas of collaboration between Nigeria and the United Kingdom include intelligence sharing, trend analysis, and joint performance monitoring

international cooperation of a forthcoming expanded UK Fraud Strategy

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

Top officials of the United Kingdom (UK) have reached an agreement with Nigeria as a priority partner in response to rising financial losses and increasingly sophisticated fraud threats against UK citizens.

The British High Commission (BHC) Communications Office of the FCDO and British High Commission, in Lagos, disclosed the areas of collaboration between Nigeria and the UK include intelligence sharing, trend analysis, and joint performance monitoring, and international cooperation.

The BHC noted this is placed at the heart of a new, expanded UK Fraud Strategy due to be published later this year, as part of the government鈥檚 Plan for Change.

Onyinye Madu of the British High Commission Communications Office, disclosed this development in a statement issued Thursday, May 1, 2025.

The statement noted with the implementation of the action plan, the public would be better protected from fraud.

Law enforcement collaboration between the UK and Nigeria is also stepped up under a new joint fraud action plan agreed between the two countries.

It stated the partnership would provide increased protection for victims by focusing on earlier detection of threats, faster law enforcement intervention, and the disruption of cross-border criminal networks before they could cause harm.

The arrangement will also support stronger systems to help prevent people from falling victim to fraud in the first place.

Key elements of UK, Nigeria joint action plan

It is noted the key elements of the joint action plan include:

Information sharing and operational coordination, including the potential for joint law enforcement operations involving the UK鈥檚 National Crime Agency (NCA) and Nigeria鈥檚 Office of the National Security Adviser.

Development and strengthening of National Fraud Strategies through the exchange of best practice, frameworks, and lessons learned, along with potential joint public awareness campaigns to deter fraudsters.

There is also exploration of collaboration between financial, online, and telecoms regulators and industry bodies in both countries to help close loopholes exploited by criminals.

Another important element of the plan is sharing insights on the misuse of financial systems, with the potential for joint studies and research into emerging threats.

Identifying training needs and delivering capacity-building initiatives, starting with targeted training for Nigerian prosecutors by the UK鈥檚 Serious Fraud Office, with further programmes planned, subject to funding.

According to the statement, 70 percent of fraud cases involve an international element.

The statement further explained that Thursday’s agreement forms part of a wider effort to build a unified international response to fraud 鈥� an issue continuing to harm individuals, undermine economies, and threaten national security.

According to BHC, Lord Hanson, UK鈥檚 Minister for Fraud, has been around this week for meetings with Nigerian counterparts and other strategic partners, in Abuja, FCT.

Besides, Lord Hanson, Chief Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, Nigeria鈥檚 Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, and Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and agreed on the Action Plan, formalising a commitment to deeper collaboration.

Speaking on the strategic collaboration between the two countries, Hanson, UK Minister for Fraud, said: 鈥淔raud ruins lives. It strips people of their savings, their confidence, and their sense of security.

“The fact so many of these crimes now originate overseas makes our international partnerships more important than ever.”

The Minister for Fraud said the UK’s new agreement with Nigeria would help them better identify and stop fraud before it happens, crack down on criminals who exploit our systems, and ultimately protect the public from the devastating impact of fraud.

He also stated: “My meetings in Abuja have been hugely constructive, giving us the opportunity to align our efforts and take meaningful action to prevent further harm.

“I鈥檓 proud to have signed this agreement, which sets both our nations firmly on the path to a safer and more resilient future.鈥�

The statement further noted that as one of the world鈥檚 largest and fastest growing economies, the UK and Nigeria recognise the shared threat fraud poses to their prosperity and long-term stability.

According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, fraud is the most commonly experienced crime in the UK, with more than one in fifteen adults affected each year.

Highlights of recent criminal incidents

The statement equally revealed that in December 2024, an estimated 4.1 million incidents were recorded 鈥� almost 43 per cent of all incidents recorded by the survey.

The societal harm is also severe, with fraud against individuals in England and Wales alone estimated to cost 拢6.8 billion annually in 2019/2020.

Beyond the financial damage, the emotional and psychological toll on victims is devastating, the UK Government said several victims had reported lasting emotional harm.

The statement highlighted that increasingly sophisticated criminals are using emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, to design realistic scams difficult to detect.

The BHC further stated: “Financially Motivated Sexual Extortion (FMSE) is a particularly cruel form of exploitation, with many victims tragically taking their own lives due to these scams.

“The NCA is committed to raising awareness, providing targeted support to victims, and improving the investigation and prosecution of offenders, both in the UK and internationally.”

Ribadu: We must confront crimes with greater seriousness, improved collaboration

Speaking at the signing ceremony also, Malam Ribadu, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, said: 鈥淏uilding on the foundation of the past successes, we must confront crimes with greater seriousness, deepen collaboration across all fronts; addressing enablers, supporting victims, and pursuing perpetrators, and sustain an unyielding commitment to protect our societies.鈥�

In his remarks, Nick Sharp, Deputy Director of Fraud at NCA, stated: 鈥淥ver 70 percent of fraud impacting the UK is estimated to originate overseas or have overseas links.

“However, those same fraudsters often also target victims in their own country.”

Sharp said: “This Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Republic of Nigeria underscores our shared commitment to tackling a threat that causes significant harm to citizens of both nations.聽 “By sharing vital intelligence, conducting joint operations, and working to identify and address vulnerabilities, we will strengthen our collective response 鈥� ensuring that criminals are brought to justice, wherever they are.鈥�

The statement as well noted that the UK-Nigeria Fraud Dialogue was launched November 2024, to further strengthen the two countries鈥� shared commitment to combating fraud in line with the UK-Nigeria Strategic Partnership.

The BHC Communications Office added: “The Dialogue serves as a forum for regular exchanges of views and ideas, bringing together representatives from cybersecurity, law enforcement, and policy institutions, and provides a platform to review progress under the MoU.”

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