TL;DR: On May 20, 2026, City of London Police announced 31 arrests in an international crackdown on online fraud groups, funded under the Henhouse 5 national intensification. Hundreds of online accounts believed to facilitate fraud were identified, many with UK links. Offences included impersonation fraud, account takeover and money laundering.
What happened
City of London Police say partners included the Cyber Defence Alliance, the National Crime Agency, the banking sector, the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre and Regional Organised Crime Units. Some offenders offered compromised data, spoofing tools or “fraud-as-a-service” to others.
Investigators analysed large volumes of data from online environments using automation and expert assessment, worked with industry for the first time in an integrated operational setting, and traced handsets with Nigerian partners. Banks identified suspicious transactions and helped prevent fraudulent payments. AI-generated videos were posted on social media as a deterrent.
Why it works
Fraud-as-a-service lowers the skill needed: a beginner can buy stolen data or a spoofing tool instead of building one. That is why stolen personal details often turn up in scam calls and texts.
The release does not give consumer advice. Its only pointer is to the force’s fraud reporting option.
Background: our explainers on what a data breach actually means and account takeover fraud. See also SIM-Swap Fraudster Jailed After Almost £200,000 Crypto Theft and Operation Henhouse 2026: 557 Arrests and £18.1m Seized. For wider numbers, see our data page on breaches loaded into Have I Been Pwned.
Practical steps
- Limit what is exposed about you online, as stolen data feeds many of these services.
- Be suspicious of any call, text or email that knows your details, as knowing them proves nothing.
- Use unique passwords and an authenticator app or passkey for email and banking.
- Report fraud to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040.
If you have already sent money
Contact your bank immediately, using the number on your card or by dialling 159, and ask about stopping the payment and reimbursement, then report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Our guides on UK fraud reporting and APP reimbursement rules, UK bank impersonation scams and how to reverse a wire transfer scam explain what to expect, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many arrests were made?
31 in total, with further investigative opportunities continuing in the UK and overseas.
What is fraud-as-a-service?
Some offenders offered compromised data, spoofing tools or other services to other criminals so they could commit fraud.
Who took part?
City of London Police, the Cyber Defence Alliance, the NCA, the banking sector, the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre and Regional Organised Crime Units.
Does this operation change how I report fraud?
No. Report fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040.
Sources
- City of London Police: Disrupt online fraud groups as part of international crackdown with 31 arrested (May 20, 2026)
- Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk)
Related Reading
- SIM-Swap Fraudster Jailed After Almost £200,000 Crypto Theft
- Operation Henhouse 2026: 557 Arrests and £18.1m Seized
- RCMP Charge Two in C$5.7M Wage Subsidy Cyber Fraud
- UK Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- Breaches Loaded Into Have I Been Pwned, 2024 to 2026
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live