TL;DR: On July 13, 2026, the National Crime Agency said five people were charged in an investigation into “Russian Coms”, a platform that let criminals appear to call from banks, telecom companies and law enforcement. The five were due at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 14. The charges are allegations until proven.
What happened
The NCA says Russian Coms was established in 2020, began as a handset and later became a web-based application, and both were marketed and sold. It let criminals hide their identity by appearing to call from pre-selected numbers.
Five people face charges, including conspiracy to supply articles for use in fraud and offences involving criminal property, and one also faces a charge for failing to comply with a notice about providing phone passcodes. The headline refers to “millions of scam calls”, but the article body does not give a figure.
Why it works
A spoofed number removes the first thing most people check, who the caller says they are. When it matches a bank’s real number, a fraudster’s “fraud team” story sounds convincing.
The NCA article gives no consumer guidance. The advice below follows from the method: caller ID alone proves nothing.
Background: our explainers on caller ID spoofing and vishing. See also City of London Police Alert: 260+ Calls From One Spoofed Number and Ofcom Sets Rules to Block Scam Texts From 2027. For wider numbers, see our data page on how scams start (contact methods).
Practical steps
- Do not rely on caller ID to confirm who is calling.
- Hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be your bank, police or a telecom provider, and call back on a number you find yourself, using a different phone or waiting a few minutes.
- To verify a genuine NCA officer, use the agency’s online officer verification tool.
- Report scams to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or at reportfraud.police.uk.
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
What is Russian Coms?
A platform established in 2020, first a handset and later a web application, that the NCA says let criminals appear to call from pre-selected numbers such as banks, telecom companies and law enforcement.
Who has been charged?
Five people, who face charges including conspiracy to supply articles for use in fraud. They were due at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 14, and the charges are allegations.
Can I trust caller ID?
No. The platform existed to make calls appear to come from trusted numbers, so caller ID alone is not proof.
How do I verify an NCA officer?
Use the NCA’s online officer verification tool.
Sources
- NCA: Five charged in NCA investigation into fraud platform responsible for millions of scam calls (Jul 13, 2026)
- Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk)
Related Reading
- City of London Police Alert: 260+ Calls From One Spoofed Number
- Ofcom Sets Rules to Block Scam Texts From 2027
- “Unverified” Texts: What Australia’s SMS Sender ID Register Means
- UK Scam News: October 2026 Roundup and Warnings
- How Scams Start: Contact Methods in US, UK and Australia (2025)
- What to do after a scam, wherever you live